A public affairs analyst, Summer Sambo, has suggested that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar‘s move to the South-East to shop for a vice presidential candidate may be aimed at reducing the influence of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the region.
NewsWatch Nigeria recalls that ADC declared Atiku as its presidential candidate after defeating former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
However, Atiku has yet to announce his running mate, and there are speculations that the former Vice President might choose Amaechi or former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha.
Speaking on the development, Sambo, during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, said there are indications that Atiku will choose his running mate from the South-East.
He said, “The indicators around Atiku’s running mate suggest he’s likely to choose the South-East. The South-East has always been his political base in the South.
“In 2019 he picked Peter Obi, and in 2023 he picked Okowa. His move to the South-East may be aimed at reducing Peter Obi’s influence in the region.”
Meanwhile, Atiku has responded to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a prediction about the 2027 election.
Wike vowed that Atiku would not secure more than 10 per cent of the total votes cast in the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State.
However, Atiku, in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Rivers State people are not slaves but intelligent enough to decide the outcome of elections in the state.
Atiku stated that no individual, regardless of influence or access to federal power, can dictate how an entire state will vote, stressing that it was both amusing and disturbing that Wike now speaks as though Rivers voters are his personal property to be allocated at will.
According to the former Vice President, Wike’s comments expose the growing panic within President Bola Tinubu’s camp over the emergence of a formidable opposition coalition under the ADC.
Atiku emphasised that Nigerians are more concerned about the soaring cost of living, worsening insecurity, and economic hardship than the political predictions of Wike, who appears to have abandoned governance for perpetual electioneering.
