Chuks Okocha in Abuja
A political strategist and convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Umar Ardo, has stated that the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, lacked the inclination to withdraw from the presidential race.
He noted that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, can step down, but doing so would deny him his support base.
He explained that if Atiku were to express a willingness to withdraw, he would likely retain his support base.
However, he emphasised that it is highly improbable that the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate would take such a step.
Ardo said that while Obi could easily step aside, his supporters might not react favourably to such a decision, highlighting these as the two significant challenges hindering a robust merger ahead of the presidential election.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS, Ardo said, “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.
“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. So, now, these are the two problems.
“Unless we can resolve these two challenges, then I don’t see the fusing together being possible. However, even if they do not fuse, any of them, individually, has the capacity to upend the order, depending on how he strategizes.
“So, even if they don’t, they still have the capacity to win the election against the incumbent on an individual basis.”