By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is reportedly offering Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, a vice presidential role in a proposed single-term ticket for the 2027 elections.
Multiple reliable sources involved in coalition discussions, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, informed The PUNCH that the proposal was first broached during a meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
According to insiders, Atiku has pledged to serve a single four-year term if elected, and Obi has tentatively agreed to be his running mate. However, the former governor of Anambra State is currently working to secure the support of his loyalists before any formal announcement is made.
Obi previously served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where they were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other political figures announced the formation of a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election. This announcement has sparked widespread debate about the potential for opposition unity, with political stakeholders expressing varied opinions.
As the coalition efforts continue, both Atiku’s PDP and Obi’s LP remain embroiled in internal crises, leaving many Nigerians awaiting further developments. A party chieftain familiar with the negotiations revealed that Atiku and Obi have reached a preliminary agreement and are now consulting with their respective loyalists.
The source stated, “By May 2026, most parties will have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections. The coalition is mindful of this timeline. The leaders believe that only a united front between Atiku, Obi, and others can effectively challenge Tinubu. They are finalizing details and ensuring everything is in place.”
The source further explained that Atiku initially proposed the coalition idea during their meeting in the UK, to which Obi requested time to consult with his supporters. Recent developments suggest that Obi is now inclined to accept the role of running mate, with Atiku committed to a one-term agreement.
When questioned about the political platform they intend to use, given the ongoing crises in both the PDP and LP, another source indicated they are considering the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The source noted that while both parties are working to resolve their issues, they are also exploring alternative options.
“At this point, the Social Democratic Party was part of the plan, but it appears the ruling APC has infiltrated it. They are now leaning towards the ADC. Some loyalists have already been meeting with ADC leadership, and a few have quietly joined the party. If the situation does not improve in the LP and PDP, they may officially align with the ADC.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the specifics of any agreement between the two leaders but confirmed ongoing discussions about the coalition. In an interview with The PUNCH, Ibe stated, “Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are focused on building a viable coalition capable of unseating the APC government in 2027.”
A loyalist of Obi and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, refrained from commenting on the one-term agreement but emphasized that Obi is dedicated to resolving the crisis within the Labour Party.
In response to inquiries about the potential agreement for Obi to be Atiku’s running mate, Ahmeh said, “No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga.” He added, “To defeat the APC, we must adhere to the rules of engagement. We cannot allow Tinubu to dominate the southern region when we have a candidate who can defeat him.”
Ahmeh reiterated Obi’s commitment to the Labour Party, despite the challenges it faces, stating, “The Supreme Court has spoken, and Abure’s term has elapsed. The LP will survive.”
When approached for comment regarding the Atiku-Obi joint ticket, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, stated that no such discussions are currently underway. “As far as I am concerned, after I met with him in Benin, there was nothing of this nature on the table. He has not shared any information about this issue with me,” he said. “So, there is nothing to confirm that such discussions are taking place at the moment.”
