Abuja, Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi don respond to critics as dem unveil new coalition ahead 2027 election. Dis response come from former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George, and ex-Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, who don criticize di coalition as personal ambition matter.
Di criticism land just three days after Atiku, Obi, and other party members gather for press conference wey dem announce de coalition in Abuja. Dis gathering end plenty speculations about wetin dey happen with di opposition parties. Dem also hold dis event shortly after ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai defect from APC to Social Democratic Party on March 10.
Present for di press conference were key opposition leaders like Babachir Lawal, Yunusa Tanko, and Peter Ahmeh. Abie know sey former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi among others, go send apologies for di gathering.
Reacting to di criticism, Atiku no show concern as e speak through his media aide, Paul Ibe. “Di coalition train don leave di station. E go stop for different points, and people fit join. If Bode George and Shekarau wan join, dem fit do am,” he talk for exclusive interview with The PUNCH.
Tanko, wey represent Obi, talk sey dem don make dia position clear, “We don coalesce. We dey out for nation-building, but dem go see wetin we talk.” When asked about di mega party matter, e say Nigerians go know when dem ready.
Former National Vice Chairman of APC, Mallam Salihu Lukman, talk sey di coalition dey necessary to stop Nigeria from becoming one-party state. “As political parties dey face crisis, APC fit stand as di only party for di 2027 election,” he add.
“Some statements wey Bode George make dey optimistic, while Shekarau’s response show contempt for di people wey dey part of di coalition. Na critical time for di country and we fit not get parties to contest.”
When Lukman talk about di mega party, e emphasize say wetin dem dey plan go be attractive to Nigerians like wetin APC be in 2014. “We go give Nigerians something new wey go restore dia confidence,” he conclude.
