Mr Peter Obi, Former Labour Party presidential candidate is reportedly set to announce his intention to run for the 2027 presidential election, amid emerging details of a failed political arrangement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Sources familiar with the development indicate that Obi will make a formal declaration in the coming days and is expected to unveil the political platform under which he will contest.
It is understood that he has ruled out the possibility of playing a subordinate role in any alliance.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed coalition between Obi’s camp and that of Atiku, who is now said to be in advanced talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu. Insiders reveal that Atiku has reached an understanding with the ADC and may contest on its platform if reconciliation with Obi remains stunted.
A recent three-day meeting in London between representatives of both camps, Obi’s team and a delegation led by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, ended without resolution, according to those briefed on the discussions.
Elder statesman and founding national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Chekwas Okorie, disclosed that Obi’s declaration is imminent.
“I am in a position to know. Peter Obi will not run as anyone’s running mate. He led his team in a three-day meeting with Atiku’s team, and they could not agree on the vice-presidential offer being speculated in the media,” Okorie said.
“Obi has achieved a level of political mileage that cannot be subsumed under another candidate. Within the week, he will present himself as a presidential contender and may unveil the party platform he intends to use.”
Okorie also hinted at a potential leadership restructuring within the ADC to accommodate Atiku’s political interest. According to him, several prominent figures, including former ministers from the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), are aligning with the ADC under the influence of El-Rufai and former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.
“The new ADC will include a substantial part of the old CPC network. This is shaping up into a three-horse race for 2027,” he noted.
When contacted, ADC National Chairman, Chief Nwosu, acknowledged that the party had been approached by multiple political interests, but declined to confirm any direct engagement with Atiku. He emphasized that the party’s flag bearer for 2027 would emerge through its primary election and national convention.
Meanwhile, both camps of Atiku and the Obidient Movement yesterday dismissed reports suggesting the two men would pair up on a joint presidential ticket in 2027. They described the reports as fabrications by “fifth columnists” aimed at undermining the evolving coalition of opposition forces.
Atiku has also publicly refuted claims that he offered Obi the position of running mate, branding such suggestions as speculative and divisive. His spokesman, Paul Ibe, cautioned against misleading reports.
“A thing like this isn’t something you throw around carelessly,” he said, adding that opposition figures are focused on building a strong coalition to offer Nigerians credible leadership.
“What I can officially confirm to you is that they’re working seriously with all the opposition leaders to build a very viable coalition platform. Some of the details are still under wraps, not yet public. But the process is ongoing, and change is going to happen sooner than later. When the coalition finally comes together and takes off, you can be sure people will get on board at multiple stations along the track.”
Responding to questions about the reluctance of some PDP governors to back the coalition, Ibe noted: “Well, PDP governors are respected stakeholders. But Nigerians know what direction they want. That much is clear. Power truly belongs to the people. And the people are powering this coalition process. What does that tell you?”
Also weighing in, Obi himself dismissed any personal ambition behind his political activities. During a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa in Abuja, he reaffirmed his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s core socio-economic challenges.
“I am in a coalition against hunger, in coalition against poverty, in coalition against the bad state of health. Politics for me is not about position; it is about doing the right thing.
“In this country we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate the children,” Obi said.
His comments followed media reports that Atiku had proposed a one-term presidency with Obi as running mate—an offer allegedly backed by a written agreement. Obi neither confirmed nor denied the proposal but remained firm in his stance.
“You can make the report what you want, but I’m in a coalition against bad governance, hunger, and poverty,” he said.
