There are emerging reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have offered Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, the vice-presidential slot on a joint single-term ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to reliable sources involved in the coalition discussions—who spoke on condition of anonymity due to their lack of official clearance to discuss the matter—the idea was initially broached during a meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
According to The Punch, the sources indicated that Atiku had pledged to serve only one term of four years, and that Obi had agreed, in principle, to be his running mate. However, the former Anambra State governor was reportedly working behind the scenes to gain the support of his core political allies before making any public commitments.
It will be recalled that Obi previously ran as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2019 presidential election, which they lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others announced a coalition in Abuja, aimed at forming a formidable opposition bloc to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. The development has since ignited national debate over the feasibility and strength of such an alliance, with stakeholders offering differing perspectives.
Despite the buzz surrounding the announcement, both the PDP and the LP continue to grapple with internal divisions, and Nigerians are still awaiting formal confirmation from the principal actors.
A party stalwart familiar with the ongoing negotiations revealed that Atiku and Obi had reached an understanding and were now focused on rallying their support bases. The source noted that by May 2026, most political parties would likely have unveiled their presidential candidates, making it imperative for the coalition to act swiftly and strategically. He added that the coalition leaders firmly believed that only a united front involving Atiku, Obi, and other key figures could mount a credible challenge to Tinubu’s hold on power in 2027.
An ally who spoke on the condition of anonymity on the development said, “Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK. That was where Atiku first mooted the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.”
Further talking, he said, “But recent developments show that Obi has accepted to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also agreed to serve a single four-year term and hand over to the former Anambra State governor. They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary. Obi is trying to get the buy-in of his loyalists before this is formally announced.”
