The 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have both denied any plans for the 2027 presidential election.
The statement was made during their breakfast meeting in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. A video of the two men sitting together at a dining table was circulated, but Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, clarified that it was simply a reunion of two old friends.
Speaking with journalists about Saturday’s meeting, Ibe said: “Let us not jump the gun. The fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration.
“The university was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host. But people think it is because of politics. We all know our friends. The truth is that politics cannot separate friends.
“So Atiku invited him to breakfast and from there, they went for the programme. I think that is what happened.”
On his part, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said the meeting had no political undertone.
“There was nothing like that. They just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there. It has nothing to do with politics. Of course, you know people will always assume things,” he said.
