There are indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have proposed a one-term joint presidential ticket with the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, with Obi taking the vice-presidential slot.
Multiple reliable insiders, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the discussions, disclosed that Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the United Kingdom, where the offer was made.
According to these sources, Atiku promised to serve only one four-year term and then hand over to Obi. The former Anambra State governor reportedly agreed in principle but requested time to consult with his core supporters before moving forward.
This potential alliance comes amid efforts to build a strong opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections, aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). On March 20, Atiku, Obi, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and several others publicly announced plans to form a broad coalition.
While the proposal is gaining traction among their inner circles, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party continue to face internal divisions. This has led coalition strategists to explore alternative political platforms.
A party chieftain privy to the political permutations told The PUNCH that Atiku and Obi have come to an agreement and are now in the process of consulting with their loyalists.
He said, “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.”
When questioned about the political platform they intended to use, given the crises in both the PDP and LP, another source revealed that they are considering the African Democratic Congress.
“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.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, acknowledged the coalition talks but did not confirm any formal agreement between the two opposition figures. “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,” Ibe stated.
Peter Ahmeh, an Obi loyalist and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, also declined to confirm the deal. “No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, said he was unaware of any such deal, stating that Obi had not discussed it with him.
“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.”
The ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with all stakeholders involved in the coalition efforts.
Nwosu stated that 21 former national chairmen of deregistered political parties are now part of the ADC, adding that the party would make a significant announcement before the end of the week.
When asked if Obi and Atiku had approached his party about their intention to switch to the ADC, the party chair dodged the question and simply said, “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.”
Continuing, he stated, “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.”
But commenting on Atiku’s planned presidential contest in 2027, a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, Diran Odeyemi, asked him to forget his ambition, saying he is not ‘’a modern day Abraham Lincoln.’’
