Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, the vice presidential slot under a proposed one-term agreement.
Multiple sources familiar with the ongoing coalition talks confirmed that Atiku and Obi held discussions earlier this year in the United Kingdom, where Atiku proposed to run for a single term before handing over to Obi. The goal is to unify opposition forces and present a strong alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, APC.
Sources disclosed that Obi has agreed to the offer in principle but is currently seeking the approval of his key supporters and loyalists. The deal would reunite the duo after their joint 2019 campaign under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which ended in defeat to the APC.
The possible merger between Atiku’s and Obi’s camps has drawn intense speculation, especially following a March 20 coalition announcement involving Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others. With both the PDP and Labour Party facing internal crises, there is growing discussion about adopting a new political platform — possibly the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
“The Social Democratic Party, SDP, was being considered, but with reports of APC influence there, the ADC seems more viable,” a source revealed. “Talks with ADC leaders are already ongoing, and some supporters have begun to quietly align with the party.”
Though official statements remain scarce, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, confirmed that discussions about a coalition are underway, without delving into specifics.
READ ALSO: Baba-Ahmed warns Atiku against 2027 presidential run
Meanwhile, opposition within the PDP appears to be mounting. Diran Odeyemi, a PDP National Executive Committee member, dismissed Atiku’s chances, urging him to abandon his ambition and likening his repeated bids for the presidency to misguided persistence.
“He’s no Abraham Lincoln,” Odeyemi said. “His actions have weakened the PDP, and offering Peter Obi a VP slot without a clear mandate is presumptuous.”
Others, including Arewa Consultative Forum’s Anthony Sani, suggested that a renewed Atiku-Obi partnership would not be surprising, considering their past alliance in 2019.
However, not all within Obi’s camp are on board. Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, declined to confirm the one-term deal and maintained that Obi is focused on resolving internal issues within the Labour Party.
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, denied any knowledge of the VP offer, stating that Obi had not shared such plans with him.
The ADC’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed coalition talks with various political actors, including members of the ruling party, as part of efforts to establish what he called a “mega African political party” capable of transforming Nigeria’s political landscape.
With just a year before parties are expected to unveil their 2027 candidates, observers say the next few months will be crucial in determining whether this proposed Atiku-Obi alliance materializes — and whether it can truly challenge the APC’s hold on power.
Crediblenewsng.com
