Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is said to be offering Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate for the presidential election in 2023, the vice-presidential position on a joint ticket for the 2027 elections, under an agreement for a single-term presidency.
Sources close to the coalition negotiations have revealed that the offer was initially discussed during a meeting in the UK earlier this year. Atiku has consented to serve a single four-year term, with Obi as his running mate.
Obi is reportedly consulting his supporters before making a formal acceptance of the offer. The pair have a political history, having campaigned together in 2019 under the PDP but ultimately losing to Muhammadu Buhari.
On 20 March 2025, Atiku, Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and others declared a coalition in Abuja, intending to challenge President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Yet, internal conflicts within the PDP and LP have delayed their progress.
An insider from the party noted, “By May 2026, we expect parties to declare their candidates. The coalition is nearing finalisation, with Atiku and Obi having agreed on the single-term arrangement and preparing to formalise it.”
Given the ongoing turmoil in the PDP and LP, the coalition is contemplating the African Democratic Congress as a possible platform. Some loyalists have been engaging with the ADC leadership or have made the decision to join the party.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, declined to provide comments on the agreement but underlined the commitment of both leaders to establishing a coalition aimed at unseating the APC.
Peter Ahmeh, a loyal supporter of Obi, refrained from discussing the single-term agreement but confirmed Obi’s commitment to resolving the challenges faced by the LP.
Yunusa Tanko, the coordinator of the Obedient Movement, stated he had no knowledge of the coalition deal.
ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing and promised a major announcement shortly.
Within the PDP, some members, including Diran Odeyemi, have called for Atiku to abandon his presidential ambitions, suggesting that his continued pursuit could be harmful.
Anthony Sani from the Arewa Consultative Forum welcomed the potential alliance, citing their previous collaborations and the evolving political landscape.
Should this coalition be finalised, it has the potential to reshape Nigeria’s political dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.
