Merger 2027: Atiku, Obi have learnt from their mistakes – Ibe

Paul Ibe, the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that both Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) have learned from the 2023 general election and are now determined to unite in their efforts to oust the “incompetent and clueless” administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ibe made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday. He highlighted that Atiku and Obi, who collectively secured over 12 million votes in the 2023 presidential election, had realized the importance of unity in removing the APC from power.

Atiku and Obi’s combined votes in the election, in which APC’s Bola Tinubu emerged victorious with over eight million votes, showed the potential of a united opposition. Obi, a former PDP member and longtime ally of Atiku, had left the party for LP when it became clear he would not secure the PDP ticket.

“Nigerians deserve better than what they are getting. It’s never been this bad in this country and there is no hope,” he said

“The truth of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar has promoted opposition parties to work together, to come together; that is the only way they can kick out this incompetent and clueless government. And I believe that discussions have been going on.

“Lessons have been learnt from 2023 by all parties including Atiku Abubakar and I believe that it is on the basis of the lessons that have been learnt that they are moving forward and having discussions.

“They have learnt that lesson and want to be united and go forward,” he stated.

He said for Atiku, “all options are on the table”, but refused to provide an answer to the question of whether the former Vice President would step down for Obi in the 2027 election.