2027: Atiku Offers Obi VP Slot on One-Term Deal as Coalition Talks Advance

There are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed a political alliance with the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, offering him the position of vice president on a single-term joint ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to multiple reliable sources involved in the coalition talks, the offer was first discussed during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom. While both leaders are yet to make a formal announcement, insiders revealed that Atiku has pledged to serve only one four-year term before handing over to Obi. The former Anambra State governor is said to be consulting his inner circle before finalizing his acceptance.

This potential partnership would mark a reunion of the 2019 PDP ticket, where Atiku and Obi ran unsuccessfully against former President Muhammadu Buhari. In March 2024, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other political heavyweights announced plans to form a united coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Despite the bold coalition move, the PDP and LP remain plagued by internal crises. Sources say the leaders are now exploring alternative platforms, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerging as a frontrunner due to the perceived compromise of both PDP and LP structures. Discussions are reportedly ongoing with ADC leadership, and a major political announcement is expected soon.

Speaking on the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, neither confirmed nor denied the VP offer but stated that both leaders are focused on building a coalition capable of unseating the APC. Similarly, Peter Ahmeh, a key Obi loyalist, declined to comment on the one-term agreement but emphasized Obi’s commitment to resolving LP’s internal issues.

The Obidient Movement, however, remains in the dark. National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko told reporters there had been no communication from Obi about any such deal with Atiku, further fueling speculation and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, ADC Chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed that coalition talks are ongoing with major political stakeholders. He revealed that 21 former national party chairmen have joined ADC, and consultations are underway with members from various parties, including the APC.

Still, the idea of an Atiku-Obi ticket is facing internal resistance. Diran Odeyemi, a PDP National Executive Committee member, dismissed Atiku’s ambitions, urging him to step aside. “Atiku is not Abraham Lincoln. His time has passed,” he said, accusing him of contributing to the PDP’s current instability.

On the other hand, Arewa Consultative Forum chieftain, Anthony Sani, sees no issue with a renewed Atiku-Obi alliance. “They’ve worked together before, and it won’t be surprising if they do so again,” he noted, adding that only time will reveal if such a move could shift political momentum away from the ruling APC.

As 2027 draws closer, all eyes remain on the evolving opposition strategy and whether the proposed Atiku-Obi alliance will hold or collapse under the weight of political realities and personal ambitions.