Atiku Offers Peter Obi VP Slot on Single-Term Ticket, Coalition
There are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a vice presidential slot in a proposed joint ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to multiple reliable sources involved in the high-level coalition talks who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions the proposal was tabled during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom. During that meeting, Atiku reportedly committed to serving only a single four-year term, with an agreement to hand over power to Obi in 2031.
The former Anambra State governor is said to have accepted the offer in principle, pending consultations with his inner circle and loyalists, many of whom remain deeply entrenched in the LP.
This development marks a potential rekindling of their 2019 political alliance, when Obi ran as Atiku’s running mate under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The pair lost that election to then-President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Coalition Leaders Eyeing ADC Amid PDP, LP Crises
On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition figures announced the formation of a political coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The announcement sparked widespread national debate and raised expectations for a united front among opposition leaders.
However, nearly two months later, both the PDP and LP continue to grapple with internal crises that have delayed any formal declaration of the coalition’s structure or leadership.
It has also been confirmed that Atiku and Obi are now actively consulting with their respective camps to finalize the agreement and avoid potential backlash or defections.
One senior party chieftain noted, “By this time next year, most parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for 2027. The coalition leaders are working with that timeline in mind.”
The source added that both Atiku and Obi have agreed to a formal, possibly written, agreement to underscore Atiku’s commitment to stepping down after one term and handing over to Obi. “They are currently crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s before going public,” he said.
New Platform Under Consideration: ADC Gathers Momentum
Due to persistent leadership crises in both the PDP and LP, insiders reveal that the coalition is strongly considering the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a possible political vehicle.
“The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was initially considered, but intelligence suggests the APC may have infiltrated it,” one source said. “So now, ADC is the most likely alternative. Loyalists have already begun quiet engagements with the ADC leadership, and some have reportedly joined the party.”
Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku Abubakar, did not confirm the specifics of the Obi-Atiku ticket, but acknowledged ongoing coalition talks. “What I can say is that both Atiku and Obi are committed to building a broad, inclusive coalition to defeat the clueless APC government in 2027,” Ibe said.
Meanwhile, Peter Ahmeh, a loyalist of Obi and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), declined to comment on the single-term deal. However, he affirmed Obi’s continued engagement in resolving the LP’s internal disputes.
“We know there were hostile conditions created to undermine Peter Obi, but he remains committed to the Labour Party and the goal of removing APC from power in 2027,” Ahmeh said. “As for the LP, the Supreme Court has spoken. Abure’s term has expired. LP will survive.”
Obedient Movement Denies Knowledge of VP Arrangement
Despite the growing speculation, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, denied any knowledge of an agreement between Atiku and Obi. “As far as I am concerned, after I met with him in Benin, there was nothing of this nature on the table,” he said. “He hasn’t shared this with me.”
On the question of a possible shift to ADC, the party’s national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, acknowledged coalition talks with multiple political stakeholders, including some within the ruling APC. “We are working to build a mega African political party. We’ve been in talks with all key players,” he said, adding that an important announcement will be made before the end of the week.
Nwosu revealed that 21 former national chairmen of deregistered parties have already joined the ADC, solidifying the platform as a viable option for a united opposition front.
Mixed Reactions Within PDP, ACF
Meanwhile, not all reactions to Atiku’s reported 2027 ambitions have been positive. Diran Odeyemi, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, strongly criticized the former VP’s persistence.
“Atiku is not Abraham Lincoln. His time has passed. His desperation is one of the reasons the PDP is in crisis today,” Odeyemi declared. “If he is offering Peter Obi the VP slot, what else has he promised others? He should take a back seat.”
On the other hand, Anthony Sani, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, viewed the potential alliance between Atiku and Obi as a logical development. “They were on the same team in 2019. There is nothing surprising about them working together again,” he said.
However, Sani noted that the political strength of the North-West and South-West the two most voter-heavy regions remains a critical factor in 2027. “The APC is making inroads in the South-South. So, it remains to be seen whether this alliance will gain sufficient traction.”
