The Federal Government has responded to the potential alliance between Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar, both of whom ran in the 2023 elections. This follows a private meeting held by Obi with Atiku and other PDP stakeholders in Abuja, as well as separate meetings with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki. Speculation has arisen about a possible alliance for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku stated on Friday that he would support Obi if the PDP decided in 2027 that it was the South-East’s turn to field a presidential candidate.
In response, the Presidency stated that President Bola Tinubu is not concerned about the planned alliance and remains focused on fulfilling his promises to Nigerians. According to Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, Tinubu is concentrating on his mandate and believes his administration’s accomplishments will speak for themselves in the next election cycle.
“The government is not thinking about them at all. We are focused on delivering on the mandate handed over to President Bola Tinubu. With the good works the government is doing, he is already the toast of Nigerians,” Idris said. He highlighted recent projects such as the inauguration of three critical gas infrastructure projects in Imo and Delta states, the ANOH-OB3 CTMS gas pipeline, and the ANOH gas processing plant in Assa, Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State.
A senior presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, echoed these sentiments, noting that President Tinubu and his administration are not disturbed by the political maneuverings of Atiku and Obi. “We are only surprised that they are plotting just one year after an election they lost. They are still behaving like sore losers,” Onanuga stated. He emphasized that Tinubu is focused on resetting the economy and fulfilling his promises to Nigerians.
