Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, the position of vice president under a proposed political alliance for the 2027 general elections.
Insiders familiar with the ongoing negotiations disclosed that Atiku and Obi met privately in the United Kingdom earlier this year, during which Atiku proposed a power-sharing deal.
According to the sources, Atiku pledged to serve only one term if elected president and suggested that Obi would succeed him in 2031.
While Obi has not made any public statement, sources say he has tentatively accepted the proposal but is still consulting with close allies.
This potential alliance marks a possible political reunion, as Obi previously ran alongside Atiku as his running mate in the 2019 elections under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They lost that election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
With both the PDP and Labour Party currently facing internal leadership crises, discussions have shifted toward adopting a new platform, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerging as a possible option.
One insider explained, “The Social Democratic Party was initially considered, but it's believed the APC has gained influence there.
So now, attention is shifting toward the ADC. Some loyalists have started engaging with ADC leadership, and others have quietly joined. If things don’t improve in LP and PDP, they may fully switch to ADC.”
Back in March, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and several other political figures revealed plans for a broad-based opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. However, a formal announcement has yet to be made.
A source close to the talks revealed, “By May 2026, most parties will have announced their presidential candidates.
The coalition leaders know this and are working carefully. Everyone agrees that a united front between Atiku, Obi, and others is necessary to defeat Tinubu. They are finalising details.”
He added that the UK meeting was instrumental in shaping the agreement:
“Atiku and Obi met in the UK earlier this year. That’s where Atiku first proposed a coalition and asked Obi to be his running mate. Obi said he needed time to consult.
But recent signs show that he has agreed, and Atiku has committed to stepping down after one term. Both men have agreed to put this in writing if necessary.”
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, confirmed that coalition talks were underway but declined to offer specifics.
“I know that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi have discussed the coalition. I can’t comment on any specific deal. What I can say is that they are committed to forming a broad, inclusive coalition to remove the clueless APC government in 2027.”
Peter Ahmeh, an ally of Obi and secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, also refused to confirm the reported deal.
“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, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, stated that he was unaware of any such agreement.
“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.”
Ralph Nwosu, the National Chairman of the ADC, confirmed ongoing discussions with opposition figures and even some elements within the 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 also noted that 21 former national chairmen of deregistered political parties had joined the ADC and hinted that an important announcement was imminent.
“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.”
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