Former Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Mallam Salihu Lukman, has declared that any presidential candidate representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in the 2027 election must legitimately earn the ticket by winning the party's primary election.

Speaking during a Channels TV interview on Tuesday, Lukman emphasized that the coalition aims to avoid repeating mistakes made by opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

"Once the opposition leaders are divided, if by 2027 we present more than one candidate, it's as much as granting victory to APC and President Asiwaju. So as much as possible, we must keep the opposition together, and in keeping the opposition together, it's not about asking anybody to step down," Lukman stated.

The former APC chieftain extended an invitation to various political support groups, particularly appealing to "Obidients" to join forces with the ADC coalition. "I appeal to the Obidients and other groups to really understand that the ADC and the coalition are the home for them. And they should come, and let's build ourselves together," he said.

Lukman assured that the coalition would rally behind whoever emerges as the party's flagbearer. "If Peter Obi emerges as the presidential candidate of ADC, we will all support him and strengthen him to overcome the shortcomings of the past. So also, any other, if it is Atiku Abubakar that emerges, for instance, we will support him and strengthen him in such a way that he doesn't repeat the mistakes of former President Buhari," he explained.

The ADC coalition appears to be positioning itself as a unified opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Lukman emphasizing the importance of honest engagement among Nigerians to move the country forward. "This is the kind of debate we want to have in ADC. Everybody will slug it out in the presidential primary, apparently," he concluded.

The coalition has been gaining momentum recently, with notable political figures like former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam joining its ranks.

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