2027: Possibility of Atiku, Obi Merger Difficult – Ex-Lawmaker, Yusuf

A former member of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Yusuf, has dismissed the possibility of a merger between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar.

The ex-lawmaker spoke during an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

Recall that talks of a merger between Obi and Atiku became public conversation following a meeting between the two politicians a few weeks ago.

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Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the PDP before the former joined LP in the leadup to the 2023 poll.

Speaking on the proposed merger, Tajudeen said he does not see both Obi and Atiku working together in 2027.

He said, “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.”

According to Yusuf, Atiku’s comment after the meeting and other roadblocks make an alliance between the duo a herculean task.

Yusuf said, “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.

“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.”

Yusuf said both men may contest the poll in 2027 which makes talks of a merger difficult.