Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar‘s supporters reportedly believe that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, poses a greater threat to the PDP’s flagbearer in the South-South and South-East region.
The expansion of Peter Obi’s supporters, known as the “Obidient” Movement, in the South has some Atiku camp members on edge.
The challenge from the Southeast, which has historically been a PDP stronghold, is seen as posing a greater threat to Atiku’s presidential ambition than the ongoing conflict with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, according to The Nation.
The source said: “The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, may split Atiku’s votes in the Southeast and in the South-South, and the race may be tough for Atiku if he does not agree terms with Wike.
“And in the Southwest, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is not keen on selling Atiku’s presidential bid. He believes that power should shift to the South in 2023. He has pitched tent with Obi.
“It is also a dilemma for Atiku to abandon some stakeholders like ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and others loyal to him.”
While the Atiku camp considers some states in the South-South, such as Cross River and Edo, as vulnerable, there are moves to reach out to Peter Obi to find a mutually beneficial working relationship.
According to sources, Atiku loyalists are hoping to leverage the long-standing political relationship between the two presidential candidates.
