Obidients clarify stance on dollarised primaries, affirm cordial relationship with Atiku

‎Supporters of Peter Obi have dismissed claims that their criticism of dollarised delegate inducements in party primaries targets former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, emphasizing that their concerns reflect broader issues in Nigerian democracy.
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‎Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, gave an exclusive interview clarified that their statement on primaries being heavily monetised was a general critique rather than a direct attack on Atiku Abubakar.
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‎He stressed on the good working relationship between Obi and Atiku, emphasizing Obi’s consistent opposition to vote-buying and transactional politics that dominate Nigerian party primaries.
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‎Tanko explained that Obi advocates for primaries driven by objective discussions on governance issues such as health, education, security, and poverty alleviation, contrasting with the norm of financial inducements during delegate selections.
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‎He also pointed out the widespread practice of buying delegates with dollars, which discourages young, honest aspirants from participating. He added that Obi is willing to bring new political ideology into the system.
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‎Atiku had earlier stirred political conversation by stating in a BBC Hausa interview that he would step aside from the 2027 presidential race if defeated by a younger candidate at the ADC primaries.
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‎He also expressed uncertainty about contesting again, prioritising the establishment and growth of the party. Atiku reiterated his commitment to youth and women empowerment and rejected rumours of party abandonment.
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‎The interview triggered reactions across the political spectrum, with former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani commenting on the difficulty of defeating Atiku in primaries, citing the unique nature of party delegates.
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‎Tanko encouraged youth and others to stay engaged in promoting genuine political change through ethical practices.
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