Loyalists of Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate has debunked claims that its recent criticism of dollarisation of party primaries and inducement of delegates was targeted at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The clarification was made by National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko who said the comments was reflection of Nigeria’s political system and not a direct response to Atiku’s recent remarks.

“We are being misrepresented on this issue. Our position was not a response or attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his BBC Hausa interview,” Tanko explained. “What I said was that in our democracy today, primaries are heavily monetised. It is a general statement. Of course, Atiku and Obi have an excellent working relationship. In fact, most times, when he discusses with Obi, he will talk about working together. We have very deep respect for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”

Tanko reiterated that Obi remains committed to a new brand of politics centred on issues, objectivity, and governance rather than financial inducement. According to him, Obi has consistently rejected the prevailing “old order” where party tickets are won through the purchase of delegates.

“Mr. Peter Obi wouldn’t be part of the old order where primaries are heavily monetised. This is something he always campaigns against,” he stated. “Primaries should be based on objective discussions and issue-based politics that focus on good governance — on health, education, security, and lifting people out of poverty. That is how it is done in the developed world, and it is what Obi continues to preach.”

Tanko’s comments follow Atiku’s recent interview in which the former vice president said he was prepared to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if defeated by a younger candidate during the ADC primaries.

Reaffirming Obi’s political ideology, Tanko stressed that the former Anambra State governor would never participate in primaries dominated by vote-buying and dollarised delegate inducement.

“Obi is willing to bring a new political ideology into the system,” he said. “I can say it authoritatively that Obi will never go into a primary election where he has to buy delegates. We know that is the norm in other camps. In Nigeria today, delegates in every primary are being purchased, and it is even in dollars. For those of us who want to give hope to the younger generation, how do you encourage them if they cannot afford to compete?”

Atiku, in his BBC Hausa interview on Wednesday, said he would accept defeat if beaten by a younger aspirant at the ADC primary and emphasised that his new party prioritises youth and women.

“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” Atiku said. “If I run for office and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women.”

Dismissing speculations that he might abandon the ADC, the former vice president maintained that he would remain committed to the party.

“No, I’m not known for that,” he said. “If I say so, then I’ll go that way.”