Peter Obi did not consult me before defecting, Labour Party will fail – Atiku

By Doris Israel Ijeoma

The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said Peter Obi who was his running mate in 2019 did not consult him before defecting to Labour Party.

Atiku, who is Nigeria’s former Vice President, stated this in an exclusive interview with Arise TV which was aired on Friday morning.

He noted that he misses Obi, who is now the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, but was not aware of his plans to move defect from PDP.

Atiku said: “Unfortunately, Peter did not consult me. We are going on and on and suddenly I heard the announcement of his defection. I think he informed me three days after he decamped to Labour Party. So, he did not even consult me.”

However, in another tone, Atiku ruled out the possibility of Peter Obi causing any upset during the 2023 presidential election.

He said Obi alongside LP, cannot perform any miracle during the 2023 elections.

Atiku explained that despite the social media sensation and acceptability of Obi’s candidacy, the reality remains that the LP does not have a structure.

He said, “I really don’t expect the Labour Party to take as many votes from the PDP as people are suggesting. We could have seen it in the last election in Osun State. What was the performance of the Labour Party?

“This is a party that doesn’t have a governor, doesn’t have members of the national assembly, doesn’t have members of the state Houses of Assembly. And politics in this country depends on structures you have at those various levels; at the local level, at the state level and at the national level.

“It is very difficult for a miracle to happen simply because Peter Obi is in the Labour Party.”