The Special Adviser on Media to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has dismissed claims that Atiku and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have held discussions on compromising the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ibe made the clarification on Wednesday during an interview on Prime Time, a program aired on Arise Television.
According to him, both political leaders are currently focused on building a credible alternative political platform capable of effectively challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than engaging in talks about presidential ticket arrangements.
Ibe said any conversation about stepping down or compromising a presidential ambition at this stage would be premature.
“Having that kind of conversation now is putting the cart before the horse. Obi and Atiku have not had any such discussion as far as the ADC is concerned,” he said.
He explained that the priority for both leaders is to ensure the emergence of a strong and viable platform, warning that without such a foundation, any political ambition could fail.
“If the platform being created is not robust enough, their aspirations and ambitions will come to nothing. They are focused on building a solid platform. Anything else is a distraction, largely driven by the President Tinubu-led administration,” Ibe added.
His comments come amid earlier remarks by Atiku Abubakar, who had stated that no presidential aspirant would step down in the ADC’s presidential race.
