Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s bloc within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has begun searching for a southern running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, DAILY GAZETTE reports.
Sources disclosed that the group is strongly considering the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its preferred option.
Should Obi decline, the bloc is expected to turn to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
A close ally of Atiku, Dele Momodu, confirmed efforts to woo Obi into an alliance, saying both men represent the strongest possible coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Momodu noted that Atiku and Obi previously contested on a joint ticket under the PDP in 2019 but lost to then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2023, they ran separately, Atiku under the PDP and Obi on the LP platform, losing to Tinubu.
With Atiku now in the ADC and Obi still in the LP, Momodu believes collaboration is essential.
He blamed the delay in a possible alliance on some of Obi’s supporters, whom he accused of pushing for exclusively southern presidential candidates.
“There is no way any southern candidate alone can defeat Tinubu,” he said.
“If Obi does not take advantage of a ready-made union with Atiku, it would be very unfortunate. It would be as good as helping Tinubu return.”
Momodu warned that Atiku might ultimately settle for Amaechi if Obi declines.
“A lot of people underrate Amaechi,” Momodu said, describing the former governor as instrumental in Buhari’s rise to power.
He argued that Amaechi mobilised more aggressively for Buhari than even Tinubu did.
He maintained that time was running out: “Tinubu is already President. He is coercing and cajoling governors and senators to join him in order to create a false image of invincibility.”
According to Momodu, Atiku and Obi still communicate frequently.
The spokesman for Peter Obi and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, confirmed Obi’s readiness to contest the 2027 election.
Tanko called for clarity from Atiku’s camp regarding what type of alliance they seek.
He suggested that a joint ticket may not align with Obi’s current political direction.
“We are looking for a leader with the capacity and mobility to understand and address Nigeria’s challenges. Obi has those qualities,” he said.
Tanko argued that power should remain in the South for continuity, insisting Obi is prepared to run a single-term presidency if elected.
A principal aide to Rotimi Amaechi confirmed that the former minister is interested in the ADC presidential ticket, though he emphasised that the situation remains fluid.
According to him, the ADC is targeting strong northern support and may prefer a northern presidential candidate for strategic reasons.
However, he acknowledged that political realities could compel Amaechi to negotiate with Atiku before the primaries.
Another ally of Amaechi said accepting the vice-presidential slot might be the best option, depending on how the primaries unfold.
“We must be realistic: can Amaechi defeat Atiku in the ADC primary?” he asked.
“If not, securing a deal earlier may be wiser.”
He also noted that Obi is unlikely to contest the ADC primary against Atiku or accept a vice-presidential role, which explains his delay in joining the party.
Attempts to reach Amaechi, his media aide David Iyofor, and ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi were unsuccessful as of press time.
