This is even as the ruling All Progressives Party remains unperturbed, reiterating that a run-off is not an option for its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
A runoff is a fresh election conducted for two top candidates to resolve an inconclusive one.
The development is coming after the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation urged the Independent National Electoral Commission not to listen to diversionary narratives by the ruling party.
A statement by the campaign spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that INEC should not bother itself with any preparation for a run-off in the 2023 presidential election, adding that the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, would win at the first ballot.
Other major political parties have, however, reacted to the probability of a run-off in separate interviews.
The spokesman of NNPP Presidential Campaign Council, Ladipo Johnson, disclosed that his principal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is the man to beat in the 2023 election.
He, however, conceded that the party could consider listening to offers from any of the ruling or Peoples Democratic Party if the race goes into run-off.
He said, “People will get to realise much later than this election is like no other. It might end up being a run-off because of the strength of the candidates. A lot of pundits felt it was a three-horse race. Now they have realised that it is not.
“But we still believe, based on what we are seeing and hearing, that we can coast home to victory even at first ballot. We will know this by mid-January. The NNPP is still consolidating and building momentum. You will notice that the party has not started its campaign. We are energising our base around the country.
“But when it comes to a run-off, as you said, I believe my principal is participating because the volume of votes he will get from his strongholds will put him way ahead of other candidates.”
When asked if APC might be Kwankwaso’s next destination, the NNPP campaign spokesman noted that it can only happen if the ruling party is humble enough to approach his principal.
“That is if the APC comes to us. I am telling you that Kwankwaso and NNPP will be on the ballot on the run-off with confidence. But if the APC is there on the ballot, that means we may be looking in the direction of PDP or Labour Party to form a government of national unity. But our candidate will either emerge first or second.
“By January, we will know the mood of Nigerians who are already tired of the two oldest parties,” he said.
The spokesman of Labour Party Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, also did not rule out the possibility of talks in the event of a run-off.
“Our doors are open. We are having discussions with several groups and individuals. But at this point in time, we are going for an outright win in 2023. That is our target.
“But when we get to that bridge of run-off, I can tell you we are ready to cross it. We are prepared,” he stated.
Although the LP National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, seemingly shared Tanko’s position, he maintained that the odds going by the feelers the party is getting strongly favour, the party’s flag bearer, Peter Obi.
According to Arabambi, he foresees a situation where Obi would cost home to victory after securing over half of the total votes.
He said, “We are confident that Obi will win fair and square. If we find ourselves in that situation, if Obi doesn’t secure 50.1 or 50.2 per cent, he may end up having 49.9 per cent. I think the question should be who are we going to pick between APC and PDP that would come second and third? As you know, it has to be between the first and second.
“The LP is a party that can accommodate all and sundry. It has happened in Pakistan and Israel where the incumbent lost an election but came back to form an alliance for the new government. Peter Obi has a large heart to do the needful.”
But the Minister of State for Labour and current chief spokesman of the APC campaign team, Festus Keyamo, laughed at the prospect of a run-off at the February 25 poll.
A bemused Keyamo stated that a run-off is only possible in a country like Kenya where candidate must secure 50 per cent of the total votes cast to be elected president.
“A run-off is only needed when you have three or four candidates pitching for 100 per cent of the votes and each not able to reach 50 per cent. At that point, the top two can be picked and allowed to go head-to-head. Once that happens, of course, one candidate must score 50 per cent. That is a run-off.
“It is then you will see everybody struggling for alignment. But I don’t see it happening in 2023. But there is a provision in the constitution. Run-off only occurs when one party cannot achieve 25 per cent of the votes in one-quarter of the federation. That is the requirement to become president,” he said.
The minister stated that he doesn’t see the possibility of the ruling party’s candidate, Tinubu, losing out in a country where they have 22 APC governors.
Keyamo also justified his optimism, saying the APC did not fail to secure 25 per cent in 33 states of the federation.
He stated, “Why am I saying there can never be run-off? First, the ruling party has 22 governors in APC states. How can you wake up one morning and say that in states where we have 22 governors ruling, the APC cannot win one-quarter in those states? These are states where we won just four years ago. Are you saying we cannot win one-quarter of those votes now?
“The Nigeria’s topography is settled. We will allow the comedians to make their noise for now. That’s because I don’t see the path of victory for the other candidates.
“Don’t forget in 2019, we secured 25 per cent in 33 states. In fact, you are talking right now with the returning officer of Mr President. We left only three – Enugu, Anambra and Rivers – where we were very close.”
