In what could mark a seismic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, reports have emerged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi are in advanced talks to form a formidable coalition ticket.
At the center of this evolving narrative is an offer reportedly made by Atiku to Obi to serve as his running mate on a single-term presidency pledge, with a written agreement to hand over power after four years.
This proposed alliance still unofficial but strongly corroborated by insider accounts has reignited discussions about the future of opposition politics in Nigeria, the weakening grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the fracturing of the Labour Party, and the increasing political dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.
For many Nigerians, the Atiku-Obi ticket evokes memories of the 2019 presidential elections, when Obi served as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate under the PDP banner. Although they lost to the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari, their partnership left a lasting impression on the political consciousness of opposition voters.
Now, five years later, sources close to both men confirmed to journalists that Atiku has revisited the idea during a private meeting in the United Kingdom earlier this year. Atiku reportedly assured Obi of a single-term presidency, promising to step down in 2031 and support Obi’s candidacy thereafter.
“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,” one source said. “Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.” Another insider noted that Obi has since warmed up to the idea and both men are prepared to formalise the agreement, if needed, through a signed memorandum.
A strategic political gamble: Can it work?
While both political heavyweights bring their own regional and ideological strengths to the table, Atiku in the North and Obi in the South-East the alliance is not without significant challenges. Both men are emerging from weakened party structures riddled with internal crises. The PDP is facing intense leadership disputes, while the LP is still reeling from post-2023 electoral tensions and factional conflicts.
With these issues in play, the coalition may find it politically expedient to pitch their tent with a neutral platform. Sources suggest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is being considered as a viable alternative, following concerns that the ruling APC has infiltrated both the PDP and LP structures. “The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party,” a source said. “So, they are tilting towards the ADC.”
Inside Labour Party’s dilemma
Peter Obi’s loyalists remain divided. While some are advocating a strong Labour Party revival, others appear open to the idea of realignment. Peter Ahmeh, a top Obi ally and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hinted at internal deliberations without confirming the coalition deal. “My position on this remains that, for us to defeat the APC, we must follow the rules of engagement so we don’t allow Tinubu to become the landlord in the southern part of Nigeria when we have somebody who can defeat him effortlessly,” Ahmeh said.
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Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, however, denied any knowledge of the talks, highlighting that much of Obi’s base remains in the dark about such a critical political decision.
The PDP in turmoil: Wike vs Atiku
As if the Atiku-Obi coalition wasn’t contentious enough, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has drawn a red line. Wike has publicly rejected the idea of a northern candidate representing PDP in 2027, an indirect blow to Atiku’s ambitions. “PDP cannot give the presidential ticket to the North,” Wike declared. “Selfishness can kill a system.”
Wike’s remarks are not just ideological; they are a strategic assertion of influence as the PDP faces implosion from within. Despite the creation of a reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, fractures persist, particularly over the national secretary seat, which has caused an uproar between governors, the board of trustees, and the national working committee.
Saraki’s reconciliation mission: Can it save PDP?
The PDP recently formed a high-powered reconciliation team led by Saraki to restore the internal peace within the party before its crucial May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The committee includes governors and influential party leaders, such as Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
While the committee has expressed optimism in concluding its task, its decision to back Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary without consensus has fueled more controversy. “There is renewed agitation over the way Saraki handled the situation. He met with just a few NWC members and decided that Anyanwu should resume office… without consulting the governors,” a senior party source disclosed.
This development further undermines the unity the PDP desperately needs if it is to mount a credible challenge in 2027.
APC’s growing dominance and strategic realignment
Meanwhile, the APC is capitalizing on the PDP’s chaos. The defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has solidified Tinubu’s grip on the South-South. The APC now controls three Niger Delta states and two South-East states, with more defections expected.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has also declared support for Tinubu’s second term, although his camp insists it’s a strategic move, not a defection. “The governor’s recent open endorsement of the president and other key federal leaders is not about partisanship, but a pragmatic step,” said Aniekan Umanah, the state’s information commissioner.
Even Rivers State’s embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara, suspended amid the political turmoil in the state, is rumoured to be leaning towards the APC following a reported London meeting with President Tinubu.
The road to 2027: Uncertainty, realignment, and hope
The stage is being set for a titanic political contest in 2027. Whether the Atiku-Obi alliance materialises or not, its very prospect is reshaping calculations within the PDP, LP, and APC alike. At the heart of the matter lies a fundamental question: can Nigeria’s opposition put aside ego and ethnicity to present a united front? Can Atiku keep his promise of a single term? Will Peter Obi risk his burgeoning base to run again as a deputy?
These questions will define not just their political legacies but the direction of Nigeria’s democracy in the post-2023 era.
