The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yinusa Tanko Yakasai, has played down claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could stand in the way of Peter Obi’s emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Politics On Sunday on TVC, Yakasai suggested that Atiku could even throw his support behind Obi in the race for the ADC ticket.
He described Atiku as a respected leader and father figure, noting that while the former Vice President has the constitutional right to contest, he also has the freedom to support another aspirant if he believes it would lead to victory.
Gossip News Now reports that Yakasai made the remarks while responding to questions about the possibility of Atiku blocking Obi’s chances within the ADC.
According to him, “Atiku Abubakar is a leader and a father. He would not be involved in that kind of maneuvering.
“He has the right to contest, but he also has the right to anoint someone else. That is within his fundamental rights as a leader who wants to win.
“Winning does not necessarily mean being the candidate yourself. Winning can also mean supporting someone else and saying, ‘Go and win for us; I believe in your ability.’ That is very possible.”
Both Atiku and Obi are widely regarded as leading contenders for the ADC’s presidential ticket in 2027, sparking ongoing debates about who will eventually become the party’s flagbearer.
However, supporters of the former Anambra State governor have repeatedly maintained that Obi is only interested in contesting for the presidency and would not accept any lesser position. Obi, who previously ran on the Labour Party platform, has also reaffirmed his intention to appear on the ballot in 2027.
