Obi: ‘I’m open to coalition that will make Nigeria work’

Obi: ‘I’m open to coalition that will make Nigeria work’

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi says he is ready to join any coalition that will make Nigeria work.

Obi spoke during an interview on Arise TV said, “I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work. That will make Nigeria productive. That will create jobs for the young ones. That will pull people out of poverty. That will make education work.”

He added that he would be part of an alliance that promotes national unity, the rule of law, accountable leadership, improve education, healthcare and job creation among other national priorities.

He however said any coalition ahead of the general elections must include political parties not just the individual candidates.

When asked whether he would step down for ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar or accept the vice-presidential slot if an alliance was reached, Obi said the decision is not for the two candidates to make.

“I’m a candidate, yes, so also my leader, Atiku, is a candidate of another party. I am a candidate for another party. So, you are talking about two parties coming together; it is no longer him or me,” Obi said.

“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something the two CEOs go to a drink and say we are going to work together. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together,” he said.

When told he had previously said he would not accept the vice-presidential position from any candidate, Obi denied rejecting any such offer.

“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.