2027 coalition: Atiku camp offers Obi VP role in one-term deal

There are hints that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, may have been given a vice presidential position on a combined single-term ticket by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The concept was first broached during a meeting between Atiku and Obi early this year in the United Kingdom, according to various credible sources involved in the coalition efforts who asked to remain anonymous because they lacked the authority to talk on the subject.

According to the insiders, Obi has accepted to be the former vice president's running partner, and Atiku has pledged to serve a single four-year term.

The former governor of Nambra State, however, was reportedly trying to win over his core supporters.

Obi ran alongside Atiku in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party, but the All Progressives Congress, led by former President Muhammadu Buhari, defeated them.

A alliance to run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election was declared in Abuja on March 20 by Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others.

Political stakeholders voiced differing views in the extensive discussion that followed the announcement regarding the likelihood of opposition unity.

Since Atiku's PDP and Obi's LP are still embroiled in internal political disputes, Nigerians are still waiting for word from the political leaders nearly two months later.

According to a party chieftain with knowledge of the political machinations, Atiku and Obi have reached a consensus and are currently consulting their supporters.

“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.”

"You know that practically all parties would have announced their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections by this time next year, by May 2026," he said. The coalition move takes that into consideration.

Paul Ibe, Atiku's communications aide, stated that he was unable to comment on the deal that the two opposition leaders had reached.

In an interview, Ibe said, "I am aware that Peter Obi and His Excellency Atiku Abubakar have been discussing the coalition. Regarding the particular arrangement they have struck, I am unable to comment.

"All I can say is that they are both committed to making sure they form a strong coalition that can support a variety of Nigerians in order to overthrow the naive APC administration in 2027."

Peter Ahmeh, the national secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties and a supporter of Obi, confirmed that the former governor of Anambra State is collaborating with others to address the issue within the Labour Party, but he declined to comment on the one-term deal.

He went on, "My stance on this is still that in order for us to defeat the APC, we have to adhere to the norms of engagement so that we do not let Tinubu take over as landlord in southern Nigeria when we have someone who can beat him with ease.

"As we speak, we are in the LP, and it is the alternative available to accommodate everyone because you cannot expect to succeed while sleeping in a hostile environment.

“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.”

When reached for comment on the question of Atiku-Obi joint ticket, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, stated that no such matter is currently being considered.

“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.”

“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.”

However, Diran Odeyemi, a member of the PDP's National Executive Committee, urged Atiku to set aside his aspirations in response to his planned 2027 presidential run, stating that he is not "a modern day Abraham Lincoln."

Lincoln, a legendary figure in American politics, is known for his political consistency. He ran for the presidency multiple times and lost before winning it in spectacular fashion.

Atiku, who served as former President Olusegun Obasanjo's vice president from 1999 to 2007, has been running for president of Nigeria for almost 20 years.

Odeyemi encouraged the former vice president to step down, stating that his time has come, in light of Atiku's intentions to run on the same platform as the former LP presidential candidate.

"The reality is that Atiku would not be able to secure the PDP's presidential ticket in 2027," he said.

‘’I doubt that any significant political party will give him a ticket. He may already have certain names penciled down for cabinet roles if he is already proposing Peter Obi the vice presidential job. How can you provide what you lack?

It is not Abraham Lincoln who is Atiku. I do not see how he will realize his self-centered ambition, so he should take some time to relax. The PDP is where it is now because of his desperation.

A chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, said there is nothing wrong with Atiku and Obi traveling the same path again, having done it in the past.

“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.