ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu has warned that if PDP and Labour Party flag bearers Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi failed to ally, they would have inadvertently handed victory to APC standard-bearer Bola Tinubu.

Mr Kachikwu said people who would be most affected by the current financial constraints in the country were supporters of Mr Obi and noted that the PDP had been weakened by internal factors, including its division giving Mr Tinubu a better chance of winning.

Mr Kachikwu, however, advised PDP and Labour party to reach an agreement within hours on how to form an alliance to win the election.

“Any vote for Peter Obi is a vote for Tinubu. PDP and Labour Party need each other. It is that simple. As true democrats, the leadership of both the PDP and Labour Party must find a way to work with the other smaller parties towards building a formidable coalition that ensures that the contest is even,” said the ADC standard-bearer.

He insisted, “Any attempt to go this alone guarantees another four years for the APC.”

The presidential poll will be held on Saturday across Nigeria.

Mr Kachikwu, with hours to the poll, said he was forced to accept the sad reality that he and his running mate Ahmed Buhari might not win the election. He said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

“When I embarked on this journey a year ago, I started with what I called my opening argument and promised to end my campaign with my closing argument,” the ADC candidate stated. “I believed then that my final argument would be a pitch on why you should vote for me, but alas, as we prepare to vote in the next 48 hours, I am forced to accept the sad reality that there is no pathway towards victory for Ahmed and I.”

He also mentioned that the PDP might have a winning chance if it received “miraculous” support from the North.

“Beyond this, we must accept the reality that except Northern Nigeria miraculously comes together in the next 24 hours to throw their support for the PDP candidate, the race looks likely to favour the APC candidate,” Mr Kachikwu explained.

(NAN)