Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi are reflecting on the lessons from the last election.
Paul Ibe, a spokesman for Atiku disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
Ibe stated that both leaders understand the importance of opposition unity and are engaging in discussions to avoid repeating past mistakes.
“There are ongoing discussions among political stakeholders to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated,” he said.
Ibe also dismissed claims that Peter Obi’s departure from the PDP cost Atiku the 2023 election.
Atiku’s spokesman was responding to a claim by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume who urged politicians from Northern Nigeria to allow President Bola Tinubu to serve out a two-term tenure in office till 2031.
Akume argued that there is a gentleman agreement that Tinubu being a southerner would be president for eight years before Atiku or any Northern politician would aspire to succeed him.
Acknowledging that Atiku has had a eye on the presidency since 1992, Akume urged the former vice president to wait till 2031 as it might be God’s will for him to lead Nigeria in his 90s.
But Ibe said it was not within the right of Akume to ‘hikack’ the aspiration of anyone who is within his or her right to contest for the office of Nigeria president.
He also argued that the All progressive Congress (APC) must allow freedom of association and expression and that the political space should remain open for all parties and candidates.
Last month, Atiku and Obi, reignited postulations around the possibility of uniting to oust Tinubu at the 2027 presidential election.
Their meeting on Saturday in Yola generated speculations about a supposed plan for the upcoming election, with reports suggesting that a merger between their camps might be in the works.
Obi was the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which is owned by Atiku. The event also marked the university’s 16th Founder’s Day.
