Amid intensifying political alignments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, fresh indications have emerged that Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is preparing to declare his intention to run for president again, this time without playing second fiddle.
This development coincides with reports of ongoing negotiations between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following the breakdown of a proposed coalition deal between their political camps.
Political analysts maintain that any proposal suggesting Obi would return as Atiku’s running mate, as was the case in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would face strong resistance from both the South-East region and the nationwide Obidient Movement.
Multiple sources confirmed to DAILY GAZETTE that Obi is finalising plans to officially announce his 2027 presidential ambition.
He is also expected to unveil the political platform under which he will contest in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Atiku is said to be in advanced talks with the ADC, led by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu.
Insiders told our correspondent that the former vice president has already reached an understanding with the party and may contest under its banner if coalition talks with Obi fail to produce a unified ticket.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that a recent meeting held in London between both camps, Obi’s team and Atiku’s delegation led by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai ended without resolution after three days of negotiations.
Speaking on the matter, elder statesman and founding national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Chekwas Okorie, confirmed Obi’s imminent declaration.
“I am in a position to know. Peter Obi will not run as anyone’s running mate. He led his team in a three-day meeting with Atiku’s team, and they could not agree on the vice-presidential offer being speculated in the media,” Okorie said.
“Obi has achieved a level of political mileage that cannot be subsumed under another candidate.”
“Within the week, he will present himself as a presidential contender and may unveil the party platform he intends to use.”
Okorie also hinted at a broader shakeup, noting that the ADC could soon witness a leadership restructuring as part of its negotiations with Atiku.
He stated that several key political figures, including former ministers from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), are now aligning with the ADC, under the influence of El-Rufai and former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.
“The new ADC will include a substantial part of the old CPC network. This is shaping up into a three-horse race for 2027,” he said.
When contacted, ADC National Chairman Chief Nwosu acknowledged that the party has been approached by multiple politicians, though he declined to confirm Atiku’s intentions.
He reiterated that the party’s primary and national convention would determine its standard-bearer for the 2027 elections.
Across the South-East, Obi’s 2023 candidacy is still seen as a pivotal moment in the region’s political assertion.
Many believe that accepting a secondary role now would diminish both the symbolism of that campaign and the momentum of the Obidient Movement, especially among youth and urban voters.
Driven by a desire for a transformative break from the past, many of Obi’s followers remain deeply sceptical of any partnership with Atiku, a figure widely seen as representative of the old political order.
Zoning considerations also weigh heavily. In the South-East, there is a strong belief that it is the region’s turn to produce Nigeria’s next president.
Another vice-presidential bid under a northern candidate, critics argue, would only further marginalize the zone politically.
The fallout from the 2023 elections, in which Atiku’s candidacy weakened PDP’s performance in the South-East following Obi’s departure to the Labour Party, highlights the potential risks of such an alliance.
Observers argue that even a renewed Atiku-Obi ticket is unlikely to galvanize the region without clear and binding power-sharing arrangements, an idea many remain wary of.
Both camps, however, have strongly denied recent media reports of a 2027 Atiku-Obi ticket, describing them as attempts to sow discord within opposition ranks.
Reacting through his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, Atiku dismissed the rumoured pairing as speculative.
“A thing like this isn’t something you throw around carelessly,” Ibe cautioned.
He confirmed that discussions are ongoing among opposition figures to build a unified coalition but stressed that no decisions have been finalised.
“What I can officially confirm to you is that they’re working seriously with all the opposition leaders to build a very viable coalition platform. Some of the details are still under wraps, not yet public.”
“But the process is ongoing, and change is going to happen sooner than later. When the coalition finally comes together and takes off, you can be sure people will get on board at multiple stations along the track.”
Asked about the reported opposition from PDP governors, Ibe said: “Well, PDP governors are respected stakeholders. But Nigerians know what direction they want. That much is clear. Power truly belongs to the people. And the people are powering this coalition process. What does that tell you?”
The Obidient Movement, through its Director of Strategic Communication and Media, Nana Kazaure, also rejected the reports.
“Even as we know that the publication is imaginary to the author, we are tempted not to ignore it because of the possible far-reaching misconception it will have in the public space,” she said.
Kazaure continued: “The Obidient Movement has been inundated with calls from our members within and outside the country, including other members of the public, regarding a media publication claiming that our principal, Peter Obi, has been offered the running mate position to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the new coalition being formed ahead of 2027.”
“While frank and cordial engagements with our partners and stakeholders towards a coalition continue amicably, the Obidient Movement would like to state emphatically that there is no truth or basis to the reports whatsoever.”
“Without any risk of contradiction, we would like to reiterate that Mr. Obi has maintained that his objective and his involvement in a coalition is to provide a united front against and to tackle issues of bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out-of-school children, and the myriad of other problems daily afflicting the people of Nigeria.”
She added that Obi remains a member of the Labour Party and that any change in affiliation would be personally announced by him: “At this difficult time, all Nigerians, including the media, should focus on contributing to building a better country.”
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, during a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa in Abuja, restated that he is not driven by personal ambition, but by a mission to address Nigeria’s most pressing problems.
“I am in a coalition against hunger, in coalition against poverty, in coalition against the bad state of health. Politics for me is not about position; it is about doing the right thing,” Obi said.
He criticised media sensationalism and insisted on a shift in focus: “In this country we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate the children.”
Obi’s remarks were in response to reports claiming he had agreed to run as Atiku’s running mate on the condition that the latter would serve only one term and put the agreement in writing.
Without confirming or denying such reports, Obi stressed his continued commitment to a cause, not a position.
“You can make the report what you want, but I’m in a coalition against bad governance, hunger, and poverty.”
