Akin Osuntokun, the former Director-General of the dissolved Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, has suggested that Peter Obi will face intense political pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to him, there will be strong external forces pushing Obi to accept a vice-presidential slot alongside a northern candidate. However, this potential alliance may pose significant challenges for the Labour Party candidate, given the expectations of his supporters.
In an interview with Arise TV, Osuntokun highlighted that Obi’s dilemma lies in balancing political strategy with the sentiments of his core supporters. The Obidient movement, made up largely of young Nigerians, remains firmly opposed to the idea of Obi playing second fiddle in any political arrangement. Their insistence on his presidential bid could create tension within any proposed coalition seeking to unseat the ruling party in 2027.
In light of these challenges, ongoing discussions within opposition circles are exploring alternative strategies. One of the key proposals under consideration is the introduction of an entirely new candidate to lead a broad coalition. This approach is aimed at ensuring a formidable opposition while accommodating the diverse interests of political stakeholders.
Osuntokun noted that the biggest hurdle facing this coalition effort is achieving unity and strength before the next election. The opposition must navigate complex political negotiations to solidify an alliance that can effectively challenge the incumbent government. Finding a balance between regional representation and mass appeal will be critical to their success.
In his remarks, “He (Peter Obi) is almost caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on him to be running mate to somebody in the north. At the same time, from my own random discussion with young people, the Obidients, they don’t want to hear that. Some people have been promoting the idea of having somebody new altogether to come up as the candidate of the potential.”