The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has been warned against succumbing to pressure to run a joint ticket with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, who gave the warning at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, described any such alliance as unjust and politically immoral, especially in light of Nigeria’s power rotation dynamics.

“It is morally right for anybody from a major party running for 2027 to be from the South. It is equitable. That is all we ask,” he said.

The ADC chieftain accused northern political actors of plotting to retain power in the region despite knowing that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, spent eight years in office before the current administration.

“In the last two weeks, they have been boasting, insulting, and saying they want to chase President Bola Tinubu from office. The question I always ask people around me is, at the end of all the insults being passed on to the president, what next?” he asked.

Kachikwu also questioned the credibility and vision of some opposition elements, whom he accused of focusing solely on ousting Tinubu without offering concrete policy alternatives.

“Have you heard these men who hijacked the ADC tell you what they plan to do about the economy, infrastructural deficit and healthcare? The former president died a few days ago in a London hospital.

“We have not heard any of them address the situation and what they will do concerning this challenge. All they are interested in is ‘President Tinubu has got to go,’” he said.

He further expressed concern over alleged attempts to manipulate Obi into accepting a vice-presidential slot under Atiku.

“Instead, what we are seeing is them recruiting people around Peter Obi to keep singing into his ears that he can’t do it. They are striving to convince him to instead accept to become Atiku’s vice presidential candidate.

“What manner of rubbish is that? He must not accept it. That is their strategy,” he said.

He backed Obi’s credentials to stand independently.

“Obi has all it takes to aspire and win an election. He has the brain. They told me too that as an Igbo man, I don’t have what it takes to become president. Why? Don’t I pay my taxes? So why can’t I aspire for the highest office in the land?” he stated.