National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Salihu Lukman, has called on Peter Obi’s supporters, known as Obidients, to avoid the mistakes made during the 2023 general elections as opposition parties prepare for the 2027 polls.
Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, came third in the last general elections, trailing behind Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Lukman stated that while the Obidient movement was highly vocal during the last election cycle, they were absent at critical moments, which he believes contributed to the challenges faced by Obi as a presidential candidate.
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“In the case of the Obidients, they must also avoid the mistake of 2023. They were all over the place making all manner of arguments, but one of the limitations of the Obidients is that when it gets to the crunch, at the decisive moment, they become absent. That was why Peter Obi suffered the kind of problem he had as a presidential candidate,” he said.
Lukman pointed out that one major weakness in Obi’s campaign was the absence of polling agents in several locations across the country. He stressed that as part of the coalition, the ADC and other allied parties are determined to strengthen opposition structures nationwide to prevent such lapses in 2027.
The former APC vice chairman assured that the coalition will support any candidate who emerges from the alliance to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
“As APC, we are going to act now to strengthen each and every one of them—whoever emerges. And we are now appealing to the Obidients to really understand that the ADC and the coalition is the horn for them. They should come and let’s build ourselves together.
“If Peter Obi tomorrow emerges as the presidential candidate, we will support him and strengthen him to overcome the shortcomings of the past. So also any other person. If it is Atiku Abubakar that emerges, for instance, we will support him and strengthen him in such a way that he doesn’t repeat the mistake of former President Muhammadu Buhari who, although from the North, ended up almost sacrificing the North,” he added.
Lukman emphasised the need for honesty and unity among Nigerians in political engagements, saying, “I think these are issues which as citizens, as Nigerians, we must be very honest and frank in engaging if we are going to move this country forward.”
Source: Channels TV
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