Coalition: Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai, others in talks – Atiku’s spokesman

“Yes, it’s out there in the open. Discussion is still
ongoing, and at the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position
and the direction that we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and
aspirations of Nigerians,” Ibe said.

Recall that in 2019, Atiku and Obi contested under the
platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the presidential election,
when the ex-vice president was the party’s candidate then.

They lost the election to former president Muhammadu Buhari
of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The two heavyweights are speculated to fly the same ticket
in the next presidential election.

When asked if both men would be on the same ticket, Ibe
said:

“What I’m saying, in effect, is that that ticket was viable
in 2019, and it’s still viable today.

“But it is left to the individuals to be able to come to a
determination as to how they proceed. So, let us not go ahead of them. They are
talking.”

DAILY POST reports that talks about a coalition have
gathered steam in the country owing to what many attribute to the crisis
rocking the major opposition PDP and other parties.

The two-time Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai El-Rufai,
earlier this year, dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, citing several personal
and political reasons.

El-Rufai then teamed up with the Social Democratic Party,
SDP, a platform many touted to host the coalition.

The Labour Party, LP, presidential flag bearer in the 2023
election, Peter Obi has, however, clarified his involvement in the coalition.

He insists he is interested in a coalition against poverty
and other vices affecting Nigeria.