Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the position of vice president in a one-term power-sharing agreement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Multiple sources involved in the coalition talks, who asked not to be named, revealed that the proposal was first made during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
According to the sources, Atiku has committed to serving only one term if elected president and Obi has accepted the offer to run as his deputy. However, Obi is said to be consulting with his key supporters before making any public statement.
This development marks a potential political reunion. It can be recalled that Obi was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, where they lost to the then incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It is understood that both camps are considering a different political party given that both the PDP and Labour Party are immersed in crises. One such option is the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“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. 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,” a source said.
In March, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others announced a new political coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. However, there has been no clear announcement on the proposed coalition till today.
One political insider said consultations are still ongoing.
“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.”
The source added that the UK meeting was key to the plan.
“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.”
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, confirmed coalition talks but declined to speak on any specific agreement.
“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.
All I can tell you is that both of them are focused on ensuring that they build a viable coalition that will be robust enough to accommodate diverse Nigerians to unseat the clueless APC government in 2027.”
Peter Ahmeh, a close associate of Obi and secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, refused to confirm any deal but said Obi remains committed to Labour Party unity.
“No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga,” he said.
He added, “We are in the LP as we speak, and that is the option available to accommodate everyone because you cannot sleep in a hostile environment and expect to succeed.”
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, denied knowledge of any Atiku-Obi joint ticket.
“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.”
ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed that talks are ongoing with major stakeholders, including opposition leaders and even some within the ruling APC.
“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,” he said.
He revealed that 21 former national chairmen of deregistered parties have joined ADC and hinted at a major announcement soon.
“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”.
