Supporters of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claims about Nigeria’s presidency, urging the African Democratic Congress to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
The group, under the aegis of the PETOOPO movement, made the call during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking at the briefing, the National Convener of the group, Magnus Oraka, said the movement was issuing two “urgent, non-negotiable advisories” bordering on political equity and electoral integrity.
He said, “Gentlemen of the press… we have called this press conference today to speak truth to power and to issue two urgent, non-negotiable advisories.
“The first concerns the African Democratic Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The second concerns the compromised leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
Oraka added, “Let no one mistake our silence for acceptance. Nigeria is at a crossroads, and we will point the way forward.”
Addressing the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Oraka urged the party to field a Southern candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
He said, “PETOOPO advises the ADC, without any ambiguity, to allow their presidential flagbearer to come from the South of Nigeria.”
The group warned that presenting a Northern candidate could weaken opposition chances.
“If the ADC… fields a Northern candidate, it will split the Northern opposition vote… The result? A northern opposition split hands the ruling party a smooth, uncontested victory in the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
He added, “Failure to zone the ADC ticket to the South… is tantamount to gifting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a second term on a silver platter.”
Group Knocks Atiku’s Comments
Reacting to Atiku’s recent interview, Oraka rejected the claim that the South had ruled Nigeria longer than the North.
He said, “Nigeria did not come into being in 1999. Nigeria was born in 1960. Let us judge from 1960.”
According to him, “Counting from 1960, the North has ruled Nigeria for significantly more years… Therefore, the South has a stronger moral, democratic, and rotational claim to produce the next president in 2027.”
He further criticised Atiku’s repeated presidential ambition, saying, “Atiku Abubakar’s desperate, perennial bid for the presidency has become a distraction to national cohesion… Step aside. The South’s turn is now.”
The group also demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, accusing him of partisanship.
Oraka said, “Under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, INEC has abandoned its role as an impartial umpire and has descended into open partisanship.”
He alleged interference in party affairs, particularly within the ADC.
“By refusing to recognise the legitimate party leadership of Senator David Mark, INEC has overstepped its constitutional mandate… This is not democracy. This is manipulation,” he said.
Citing an alleged statement by the INEC chairman, Oraka questioned the commission’s neutrality.
He said, “An INEC chairman who declares ‘victory is sure’ before a single ballot is cast has already abandoned impartiality… ‘Victory is sure’ for whom?”
The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to act if the INEC chairman fails to resign.
“We demand the immediate resignation of Prof. Joash Amupitan… If he refuses, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must demonstrate statesmanship by removing him immediately,” Oraka said.
The group insisted, “First: The ADC must allow their presidential flagbearer to come from the South of Nigeria.
“Second: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar must stop his desperate bid… The South has the greater claim.
“Third: INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan must resign immediately… A partisan INEC is the death of free elections.”
He added, “We are watching. We will mobilise, and we will not rest until justice is done.”