Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dispelled rumours suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is poised to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH during his recent visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, Obi said he was not concerned about Atiku’s political manoeuvres, describing him as a “dear elder brother and respected leader.” The speculation emerged amid reports that some of Atiku’s loyalists within the Peoples Democratic Party have been defecting to the ADC coalition, a development that sparked unease among Obi’s supporters and raised fears of a possible takeover. Tensions heightened further following Atiku’s recent BBC Hausa interview, where he stated that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated in the ADC primaries — a remark that stirred renewed debate over his 2027 presidential ambitions. Adding his voice to the conversation, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, warned in a post on his X handle that it would be “difficult for any aspirant to defeat Atiku if he makes it to any party primaries.” But Obi, brushing off the fears, maintained that the emerging coalition was about national rescue, not rivalry. “Let me tell you. Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m a member of the Labour Party and I belong to the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027. “I can tell you, other parties and people are going to be part of it. All of us are going to come together as a people. That’s my belief. “For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to come together to rescue the country,” he said. The former Anambra State governor also hinted at his readiness to contest, whether under the ADC platform or otherwise, stressing that competence and sincerity of purpose should define Nigeria’s next leadership. “I’m contesting and I’m sure I will be. People will have to look at who is competent, whether he has the capacity and everything. And I think I’m qualified. “I have the capacity to do the job. I’m saying it over and over again that in four years, I can change the trajectory of Nigeria to a positive one,” Obi declared. The former LP candidate further urged Nigerians to shift focus from partisan politics to issues that directly impact citizens’ welfare. “We’ve talked too much politics in this country. I was in some villages in Anambra State, and could see poverty everywhere. We’re talking about party chairmen, primaries, and things like that. I want the new Nigeria to be talking about what will benefit the people,” he added.