James Agberebi
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has listed conditions for before a merger can take place with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In an interview on NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV, Obi suggested that he could consider a merger provided the aim is towards achieving better governance in Nigeria.
Recently, Obi visited Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja residence which sparked rumours of a possible merger with PDP and Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Their meeting came days after Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, hinted in an interview that the two politicians’ coming together was possible.
Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the PDP. They lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku and Obi ran for president on separate political parties in 2023 where they lost to APC’s President Bola Tinubu who succeeded Buhari.
When asked if there is a chance for an alliance with Atiku, Obi, a former Anambra State governor, said such a move should be about unlocking Nigeria’s potentials.
“If it’s just a merger for election or state capture, I’m not for it or part of it, I don’t want to be part of anything like that,” he said.
On the prospect of being supported as a Southeast candidate in the 2027 presidential election by Atiku, Obi said, “I commend him and I’m grateful for his statements, especially where he said he will support me if it (the presidential ticket) goes to the South East.”
He emphasised that his primary concern is not personal ambition or political maneuvering but the well-being of Nigerians.
“I’m not desperate to be president, I’m desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor people because we have a lot of potential,” Obi said.
