The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former vice president, Mr Atiku Abubakar, said he will keep on contesting for Nigeria’s presidency.
He spoke during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja.
Atiku said he was consoled by the fact that former United States President Abraham Lincoln contested many times before he could become the occupant of the White House.
“Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy.
“Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” he said.
On the crisis rocking the PDP, Atiku said the party needs to be united and forge alliances with other political groups to win the presidential election in 2027.
“However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required,” Atiku added.
Recall that Atiku, 77, has since the birth of the fourth republic in 1999, contested the presidential election thrice – 2007, 2019 and 2023.
He lost to late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007, was defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and trounced by incumbent President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Recently, he said in a BBC Hausa Service that if in 2027, his party decides that it is the southeast’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate he would readily offer his support.
“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the south or southeast specifically, I won’t contest it.
“As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.
“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” he declared.
