Amid growing discussions around a united opposition front for the 2027 general election, there are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, a vice-presidential position on a one-term ticket.
Multiple sources close to the ongoing coalition negotiations revealed to DAILY GAZETTE that the proposal was tabled during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
The plan reportedly involves Atiku running for president for a single four-year term, after which he would hand over to Obi.
According to insiders, Peter Obi has tentatively agreed to the arrangement but is currently consulting with his core supporters.
The two politicians have a history of collaboration.
In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although they were ultimately defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others unveiled a coalition in Abuja aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
While this move sparked intense political discourse, both PDP and LP are grappling with internal turmoil.
One party insider told DAILY GAZETTE “You know that by this time next year, by May 2026, almost all parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections.”
“So, the coalition move is mindful of that.
The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu. So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.”
“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.”
“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.”
As for the political platform they might use, given ongoing issues within PDP and LP, sources say the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a strong contender.
“The crisis in PDP and LP is frustrating. While they are both making efforts and waiting to see if the crisis can be resolved in favour of their camps, they are both looking at possible political parties to run on.”
“The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party.”
“So, they are tilting towards the ADC. As a matter of fact, some of the loyalists have been meeting with the ADC leadership, and others have quietly joined the party. So, if things do not favour them in LP and PDP, they may join ADC.”
When contacted, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, confirmed the ongoing coalition discussions but declined to comment on the specific terms of the alliance.
“I know that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been talking about the coalition. I cannot speak on the specific agreement they have reached.”
“All I can tell you is that both of them are focused on ensuring that they build a viable coalition that will be robust enough to accommodate diverse Nigerians to unseat the clueless APC government in 2027.”
Peter Ahmeh, a Labour Party loyalist and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, declined to confirm the single-term arrangement but emphasized efforts to resolve LP’s internal conflicts.
“No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga,” he said.
“My position on this remains that, for us to defeat the APC, we must follow the rules of engagement so we don’t allow Tinubu to become the landlord in the southern part of Nigeria when we have somebody who can defeat him effortlessly.”
“We are in the LP as we speak, and that is the option available to accommodate everyone because you cannot sleep in a hostile environment and expect to succeed.”
“We know there were hostile conditions created to undermine Peter Obi, but he is still in the Labour Party and is committed to making sure we get the APC out of government in 2027.”
“As for the LP, the Supreme Court has spoken, and Abure’s term has elapsed. So, they can’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand. LP will survive.”
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, said there is no formal agreement on a joint Atiku-Obi ticket at this time.
“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 with me any of this particular issue. Neither has he called nor talked to me about it. In fact, not too long ago, I just spoke with him.”
“So, there is nothing, as far as I am concerned, to confirm that such a discussion is on the table at the moment.”
ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu confirmed that discussions with various political actors, including members of the current government, are ongoing.
“The ADC leadership has held conversations with all major stakeholders in the coalition drive and even people in government, that is, even people in the APC.”
“And they are all committed to building a mega African political party. So, we have spoken with all critical stakeholders. So, the stakeholders are all working together on this.”
He added, “We are part of the move. We have been working to give Nigerians a democracy that will improve their lives from the beginning. And within the last 10 years, about 21 national parties that have been deregistered have joined us in ADC. So, they all identified with our party.”
“Currently, we are involved in coalition talks with all critical stakeholders. And we are meeting frequently, and by the grace of God, before the end of this week, we will announce some of the recent developments to the entire world.”
“The Nigeria project is not local. Nigeria is critical to Africa. And that is why ADC is determined to bring about good leadership to rescue Africa, not just Nigeria.”
However, not all reactions have been supportive.
PDP NEC member, Diran Odeyemi criticized Atiku’s repeated presidential ambitions, urging him to step aside.
“The truth is that Atiku cannot get the Presidential ticket of the PDP in 2027,” he stated.
“I am not sure he will get the ticket from any serious political party. If he is already offering Peter Obi the vice presidential slot, it is possible he has already pencilled some names down for ministerial positions. How can you offer what you don’t have?”
“Atiku is not Abraham Lincoln. He should rest because I don’t see how he will realise his selfish ambition. His desperation is what has left the PDP where it is today.”
In contrast, Anthony Sani, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, said another Atiku-Obi alliance wouldn’t be surprising.
“Such arrangement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would surprise no one, especially when regard is paid to the fact that the duo was on the same team in PDP in 2019, albeit the team did not prevail in the elections.”
“Whether the arrangement would have more traction this time around is for time to tell, given the strengthening of the political alliance between North-West and South-West, both of which are number one and number two in number of registered voters.”
“What is more, the All Progressives Congress is making some significant inroads in the South-South. As I always say, all these are democracy in actions which should stun no one,” he observed.
