FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he will not give up on his bid for the office of president in Nigeria as long as his health allows him.
The 77-year-old politician made the assertion during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA) monitored in Abuja.
He also hinged his persistent bid on the trajectory of a former American President, the late Abraham Lincoln, who contested many times before he eventually emerged victorious.
“Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate during the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, declared.
“Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning.
“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 said.
Atiku lost to former president, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and to Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Between 1999 and 2007, Atiku was vice president to former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking on the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about two weeks ago, Atiku said he would be willing to back Mr Peter Obi in 2027 if the PDP decides that it is the turn of the South-East to produce the president of the country.
“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general election that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it.
“As long as it is 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 is the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” he said.
On his recent meeting with Obi, the 2023 candidate of the Labour Party, in the presidential poll, Atiku had stated: “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”
On the possibility of the talks leading to the formation of an alliance, the former vice president declared: “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
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