The Senior Pastor of The Second Coming of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, has declared that only a joint presidential ticket between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition stands a real chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

He stated this on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State capital, while speaking on the political maneuvering to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government due to the economic downturn in the country.

Pastor Giwa said that a united front between the two opposition heavyweights would be the most formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “The coalition will be better if Atiku and Obi come together. Only Atiku and Obi’s ticket can defeat the ruling party.”

The cleric, however, warned that the alliance would fail if Peter Obi insisted on leading the ticket.

According to him, the North would not rally behind an Obi candidacy, which would ultimately weaken the coalition’s chances.

If Obi is picked as the presidential candidate for the coalition, I don’t see victory for the coalition party,” Pastor Giwa said.

“Only Atiku-Obi ticket can defeat Tinubu because he can’t get the support of the Northerners, can’t get the Southerners, but can only get support from the Southeast where he comes from,” the cleric said.

The cleric, while speaking with DAILY INDEPENDENT on Thursday, argued that Atiku remained the more viable candidate to head the coalition, adding that he believed the former vice president would willingly hand over power to the Southeast if elected.

He said: “If Atiku becomes the next president, I’m sure he is more reliable to hand over power to the Southeast.”

Pastor Giwa also expressed skepticism about the country’s readiness to elect a candidate from the Southeast, regardless of popularity.

“As it is, if anybody from the Southeast is coming to contest against the ruling party, they won’t allow him to win no matter how popular he is,” he said.

Pastor Giwa called on Peter Obi to demonstrate humility and political pragmatism by stepping down for Atiku in the interest of the coalition and the country.

“If Obi should calm down and subject himself under Atiku, they are good to go.

“He may want to step down considering his last presidential election. You know, he tested his popularity.

“Obi will be willing because if he won’t step down, he wouldn’t have joined the coalition. He knows that when it comes to popularity and political strength, Atiku has it more than him, so he will be willing to step down, and that will be a good ticket for Nigeria,” Pastor Giwa said. (Daily Independent, excluding headline)