There are growing indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the position of running mate in a potential joint ticket for the 2027 elections, under the agreement that Atiku would serve only a single four-year term.
Multiple sources involved in the opposition coalition efforts told The PUNCH that the proposal was first discussed during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom. They said Obi has tentatively agreed but is consulting with his core supporters before making a final decision.
The two men previously ran together under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, losing to then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Now, amid internal crises in both the PDP and Labour Party (LP), they are reportedly considering alternative political platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
One source revealed:
Atiku promised to serve just one term and hand over to Obi. They’ve agreed in principle and may sign a formal agreement. Obi is now trying to get his inner circle on board before anything is announced.
Talks of a unified opposition gained traction after Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others unveiled plans in March for a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Since then, there has been little official communication from the involved leaders, while both PDP and LP remain entangled in internal disputes.
Some members of the coalition are reportedly leaning toward the ADC as a possible platform, with several allies already in discussions with its leadership. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was also considered, but sources say it may have been compromised by influence from the ruling APC.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, declined to confirm the details of the Atiku-Obi agreement, but acknowledged that coalition talks are ongoing:
Both leaders are focused on building a strong coalition that can unseat the APC in 2027.
Meanwhile, Obi’s allies offered mixed responses. Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties and a close associate of Obi, declined to confirm the vice-presidential deal but said Obi remains committed to reforming LP and defeating the APC.
No comment on that issue until I speak with my principal, he said.
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, also denied knowledge of any such deal:
As far as I know, nothing of this sort has been discussed. I just spoke with him recently.
ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed that coalition discussions are ongoing with various political stakeholders, including some from within the APC.
We’re working on building a mega political party to rescue Nigeria. By the end of the week, we’ll make some major announcements, he said.
He added that 21 former chairmen of deregistered political parties have joined the ADC in preparation for a broader coalition push ahead of the 2027 elections.
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