Political strategist and Convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Umar Ardo, has stated that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shows no sign of withdrawing from the 2023 presidential race. He also noted that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has the potential to step down, but such a move would likely alienate his strong support base. According to Ardo, these two factors are major obstacles to any possible merger between the candidates ahead of the upcoming election.
Ardo explained that if Atiku were to publicly announce his willingness to withdraw, he would likely retain the loyalty of his supporters. However, he emphasized that it is highly improbable for the former vice president and 2023 PDP presidential candidate to take such a step. The political strategist believes Atiku lacks the personal inclination to step aside, despite the potential benefits of unity among opposition forces.
On the other hand, Ardo acknowledged that Peter Obi has the capacity to say he will step down. But he warned that doing so would come at a high cost — Obi’s supporters may not follow him, creating a significant rift within his coalition. This, Ardo said, presents a dual challenge: one candidate unwilling to step down, and another whose supporters might reject such a decision.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Ardo elaborated: “My view is that Atiku does not have the propensity by himself to say, ‘I will step down.’ If he says so, he will not have a problem with his support base. But the issue is that he is highly unlikely to say that.” He continued, “Then Peter Obi has the propensity to say, ‘I will step down.’ But if he says so, he will not have his support base. He will not be able to carry his support base. His support base will not go with him.”
Ardo stressed that unless these two challenges are resolved, a meaningful fusion between Atiku and Obi remains unlikely. Even without a merger, however, he pointed out that either candidate individually has the strength to challenge the incumbent in the election. “So, even if they don’t, they still have the capacity to win the election against the incumbent on an individual basis,” he concluded.
The comments come amid growing speculation about possible alliances among opposition parties seeking to unite against the ruling party. As the election approaches, political analysts continue to monitor developments closely, especially regarding the dynamics between key opposition figures. The outcome of these discussions could significantly influence voter turnout and the overall electoral landscape in Nigeria.
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