Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria, has been advised by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) to abandon his potential ambition for the 2027 presidential election.
Diran Odeyemi, a member of the PDP’s National Executive Committee, and Anslem Eragbe, a chieftain of the LP, emphasized that the South should be allowed to rule for eight years, starting from 2023.
They noted that the 2027 southern president may not necessarily be President Bola Tinubu, who is currently serving as president.
Eragbe argued that Atiku should not have contested the 2023 presidential election, as it was the turn of the South to produce a president. He stated that Atiku, having served as Vice President for eight years, is aware of Nigeria’s power dynamics and should support younger Nigerians in their bid for power in 2027.
Odeyemi attributed the crisis within the PDP to Atiku’s participation in the 2023 presidential election and his perceived ambitions for 2027. He urged Atiku to abandon his ambition, stating that the crisis within the party would subside once Atiku declares that he is not interested in running for president in 2027.
The call for Atiku to abandon his presidential ambition comes as the country prepares for the 2027 elections. With the South expected to produce the next president, it remains to be seen whether Atiku will heed the advice of Odeyemi and Eragbe.