There are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, the position of running mate in a joint presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, with a promise to serve only a single four-year term.
Multiple highly-placed sources involved in the high-level opposition coalition revealed that the two political heavyweights held a private meeting earlier this year in the United Kingdom, where the offer was first discussed.
According to insiders who spoke with The PUNCH under anonymity, Obi has tentatively accepted the proposal but is still consulting with his loyalists.
One source disclosed that Atiku and Obi met in the UK earlier in the year and that Atiku mooted the idea of a coalition, urging Obi to return as his running mate.
Obi reportedly did not reject the proposal but requested time to consult his base. Recent developments now suggest that Obi has agreed in principle to the arrangement, though no official statement has been made.
It would not be the first time the two would run on the same ticket. In 2019, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but they lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their renewed alliance could reshape the political atmosphere ahead of 2027.
On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and several others convened in Abuja to announce the formation of a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
The declaration sparked widespread reactions, with various political actors debating the chances of such a coalition unseating the APC. However, nearly two months later, the PDP and LP are still grappling with internal leadership crises, stalling further developments.
A top party chieftain close to the negotiations confirmed that Atiku has committed to serving only one term and handing over to Obi. Both men, the source revealed, are ready to sign a formal agreement to that effect.
The proposal is reportedly gaining traction among their inner circles, and consultations are ongoing to gain full support from their loyalists before an official announcement.
The uncertainty within the PDP and Labour Party has also prompted both Atiku and Obi to consider alternative platforms. One of the strongest options on the table is the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Sources noted that while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was previously considered, it appears to have been infiltrated by APC loyalists. As such, many coalition members are now engaging with the ADC, and some have already registered quietly with the party.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, when asked to comment on the reported deal, did not confirm the specifics but admitted that talks between Atiku and Obi are ongoing. He said both men are working toward building a strong and inclusive coalition capable of defeating the APC in 2027.
On his part, Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties and an Obi loyalist, declined to comment on the alleged four-year single-term agreement. However, he confirmed that Obi remains committed to resolving the Labour Party’s internal crisis and emphasized that unity is essential to removing the APC from power.
Ahmeh further argued that defeating Tinubu would require strategic planning and careful political alignment. He reaffirmed that Obi is still in the Labour Party and is working from within to stabilize the platform ahead of the election.
He also referenced a Supreme Court ruling on LP leadership, insisting that the current leadership must be resolved in line with party rules.
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, expressed skepticism about the Atiku-Obi ticket reports.
He stated that after meeting with Obi in Benin, the issue of running with Atiku never came up and that Obi had not shared any such plan with him.
However, the ADC’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that the party is currently involved in coalition talks with various political stakeholders, including former party chairmen and even some individuals within the ruling APC.
While Nwosu did not directly confirm talks with Atiku and Obi, he revealed that significant political announcements would be made before the end of the week.
According to Nwosu, the ADC is working to build what he called a “mega African political party” that would go beyond local politics to deliver transformative leadership across the continent.
He emphasized that Nigeria is too important to be left in the hands of uncoordinated leadership and insisted that the ADC would play a central role in reshaping Africa’s democratic landscape.
If finalized, the proposed Atiku-Obi alliance could become a major game-changer in the 2027 presidential race. With Atiku reportedly ready to serve only one term and Obi positioned as a successor, the alliance could appeal to voters seeking both stability and long-term leadership transition.
Still, the success of this political arrangement depends heavily on resolving intra-party conflicts, aligning divergent interests, and sealing the deal with a binding agreement. As Nigerians await further details, political watchers agree on one thing — the road to 2027 just got more interesting.
Sources: Punch