- Why Atiku, Obi Merger Talks Might Not Work- Ex- Reps Member
- Obi Will Not Be Involved In A Merger That Is Only Seeking Power- Tanko
- Says Any Merger Between Obi And Others Will Be Subjected To Scrutiny
As political maneuvering and scheming ahead of the 2027 General Election begin to gather momentum, indications have emerged that a possible merger between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) might be dead on arrival.
A few weeks ago, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi met behind closed-doors sparking rumour about a possible merger to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Atiku and Obi both contested the 2023 general election losing to the incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Obi, over the weekend also further fuelled the merger talk when he expressed openness to the idea of merger between both parties.
In an interview on NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV released on YouTube on Saturday, Obi said he is open to the idea provided that the goal is to better govern Nigeria and unlock its vast potential.
“If the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly, unlock all those things that will make Nigeria a better place, I’m for it.
“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.
Reacting to the prospect of being supported as a Southeast presidential candidate in 2027, the former governor of Anambra expressed gratitude to Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP, for showing interest in supporting him ahead of the next general election.
He added that his primary concern is not personal ambition or political maneuvering, but rather the well-being of Nigeria and its people.
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“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.
“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.
However, the merger talks appeared to have been shot down as critical insiders have revealed why the merger might not work.
According to Yunusa Tanko, the Chief Spokesperson of Obi-Datti and Director of the Media, Labour Party (LP), said his principal is interested in seeing Nigeria work and thus will only partner with those who have similar values.
“His Excellency, Peter Gregory is not interested in a merger that is only for the interest of seeking power. He is interested in a merger that will bring Nigerians out of the poverty level, bringing the Nigerian people to a comfortable state of health care,” he said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“Making sure Nigerians have potable drinking water; making sure the problem of power supply is being solved.
“So, therefore, he is interested strongly in a merger that is driven by ideology and a programme. But if it’s only for the purpose of power, he is not interested.”
He said any merger between Obi and others will be subjected to scrutiny, ensuring values are in alignment.
Similarly, a former House of Representatives member Tajudeen Yusuf does not see the former Anambra governor and Atiku forming a merger.
“They have worked together before in 2019. It would not be out of place if they work together again. I am not in their minds but I don’t see the possibility,” he said.
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He cited Atiku’s comment about his willingness to continue contesting presidential elections.
“They met a few days ago and after the meeting, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar came out to say he will continue to contest as long as he’s alive and healthy,” he said.
“To me, that was to send a signal to those, especially the media, who were running with the notion that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar might step down and shelve his political ambition for Peter. But the follow-up statement a week later clarified that.”
The former lawmaker thinks both men may contest the poll in 2027 which makes talks of a merger difficult.
