Comrade Richard Nwafor, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon any plans of running in the 2027 presidential election. Nwafor made the call during a conversation with journalists in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, on December 9, 2024.
Nwafor suggested that the PDP should focus on zoning its presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria in the 2027 election to promote fairness and unity within the party. He pointed out that Atiku, who was the party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential race, failed to secure the presidency despite his efforts.
“Since the dinner in Yola, Adamawa State, I decided to keep mute and watch as it unfolds,” Nwafor said, referring to a meeting that reportedly took place between Atiku and his supporters. “However, let it be very clear to those concerned that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, a man I respect so much, should bury the idea of a 2027 presidential ambition and support a southerner.”
Nwafor’s comments also revisited Atiku’s previous presidential runs, including the 2023 election, where he selected Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as his running mate. Despite the collaboration, the duo was ultimately unsuccessful, and Nwafor questioned why Atiku would now be rumored to be considering another presidential bid in 2027.
The PDP chieftain emphasized that Atiku’s continued ambition could undermine the spirit of equity and social justice within the party. He recalled the efforts by southern PDP members in 2023 to convince Atiku to allow a southerner to contest for the presidency, believing this would strengthen the party’s unity. He stressed that the need to zone the presidential ticket to the southern part of the country remained a priority for the party.
“This opinion is personal and doesn’t represent the generality of my office,” Nwafor clarified, making it clear that his views were his own, though he urged others close to Atiku to pass on his message. He also noted that fresh leadership was required for the PDP to rejuvenate its efforts for the upcoming election cycle.
In conclusion, Nwafor reiterated that despite all challenges, the PDP should prioritize the selection of a presidential candidate from the southern region. “We need fresh people to mount the podium of leadership in our great Party (PDP),” he stated, signaling his support for a new direction in the party’s leadership structure.
