By: IDNN Political Desk
A political thunderstorm may be gathering ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as fresh reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered ex-Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the vice presidency under a one-term coalition agreement.
Multiple insider sources, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed that the proposal was first floated during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom. The plan? A single-term presidency for Atiku, with an ironclad pledge to hand over power to Obi in 2031 — a bold gambit to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) regime.
Behind Closed Doors: UK Meeting Sets Agenda
According to those privy to the discussions, Obi reportedly requested time to consult his loyalists. However, recent developments suggest he has accepted the offer — contingent on signing a formal agreement. “This is the only coalition powerful enough to wrest power from Tinubu,” a political operative said.
Both leaders — veterans of Nigeria’s tumultuous democratic evolution — are believed to be nearing a finalized pact, with strategic groundwork already underway.
Platform Crisis: PDP and LP Losing Steam
The biggest challenge now? Where to fly the coalition’s flag.
With the PDP and Labour Party grappling with bitter internal feuds, sources close to the power brokers indicate the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is emerging as a fallback option. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was reportedly discarded due to fears of APC infiltration.
Several meetings between Obi-Atiku loyalists and ADC officials have been confirmed. Even ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu hinted at ongoing “stakeholder” consultations, teasing a major announcement “before the end of the week.”
Official Reactions: Dance of Denial and Coded Confirmation
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, remained tight-lipped. “What I can confirm is that both men are committed to building a robust coalition,” he said, without addressing the VP offer specifically.
Meanwhile, a prominent Obi loyalist and Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, refused to comment, while insisting that Obi is still loyal to the Labour Party — even amid legal battles and legitimacy questions over the party’s leadership.
Obidient Movement Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, flat-out denied any knowledge of such talks: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s not on the table,” he said.
Opposition Drama: PDP, ACF Hit Back
Within the PDP, the idea of an Atiku comeback is drawing sharp rebuke. Diran Odeyemi, a National Executive Committee member, called on Atiku to quit politics. “He’s not Abraham Lincoln,” Odeyemi fired. “He should rest.”
Meanwhile, Arewa Consultative Forum’s Anthony Sani offered a more diplomatic view: “It won’t surprise anyone if Atiku and Obi align again… but the question is whether it can shift the balance of power.”
Context and Consequence: What’s at Stake?
In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate — they lost. In 2023, both ran separately and lost again. Now, with Tinubu tightening his grip across South-West and creeping into South-South, opposition strategists fear another fractured front will doom their chances.
Time is ticking. Presidential primaries across all parties are expected to climax by mid-2026. This coalition, if real, could reset the 2027 election map — or collapse under the weight of egos and unresolved feuds.
Nevertheless, the proposal is facing pushback. PDP’s National Executive Committee member Diran Odeyemi dismissed Atiku’s ambition as desperate and outdated. “He is not Abraham Lincoln. His time is up,” he said, calling the VP offer presumptuous given the unresolved status of PDP’s ticket.
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, also distanced himself from the reports. “Nothing of this nature has been discussed with me,” he claimed, suggesting either political caution or inner-circle secrecy.
The coalition move, should it be formalized, faces the formidable challenge of consolidating voter bases across Nigeria’s deeply regionalized political landscape—particularly with APC’s gains in the South-South and a strong North-West/South-West alignment.
