Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has disclosed that he would merge ahead of the 2027 general election to save Nigeria.
Obi said the merger was necessary to save democracy and economic downturn of Nigeria. He said it was not that he was desperate but something must be done to save Nigerians from bad leadership.
Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, had in an interview with BBC Hausa said he was ready to fulfill his promise in 2023 general election.
The former vice president, Atiku, said if the PDP zones its presidential candidate to the South East, he would step down for Obi. He added that merger was necessary for Nigerians to be saved from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking over the weekend, the former governor of Anambra State, in an interview with Noire TV, said Atiku’s decision to step down for him if the PDP zones presidency to South East showed his commitment to democracy and to save Nigeria.
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He added that he would be part of any merger that would save Nigerians and democracy, and bring governance to the people of Nigeria.
He said, “I commend Atiku for his statement, especially where he said he will support me if it goes to the South East.”
Answering questions on merger, the former governor said, “On the issue of a merger and the coming together of parties, I have always said that as long as any merger or any coming together is to better Nigeria and for governing properly, I am for it.”
The former PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, however, said he would not merge for election and state capture that would not impact the people of Nigeria. He said he was not desperate to become president but to see Nigeria work for Nigerians.
“If it is just a merger for election or state capture, I’m not for it. I am not desperate to be president, I am desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor, because we have a lot of potential.
“So, if the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly on all those things that will make Nigeria a better place, I am for it.
“If the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly and work for all those things that would make Nigeria become a better place, I am for it.
“It might be at the party level, it might be at the individual level or at any level, we must come together to be able to build a better Nigeria,” Obi added.
Obi’s party, Labour Party, has been engrossed in leadership tussle. The National Chairman, Julius Abure has been accused of highhandedness, corruption and financial misappropriation.
