Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has denied claims that he rejected an offer to become the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi made the clarification during an interview on Arise TV while responding to questions about a possible alliance between opposition parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In 2025, Obi, Atiku and other opposition leaders formed a coalition under the ADC as part of efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
However, the coalition later weakened after some members moved on to different political platforms. Obi subsequently emerged as the presidential candidate of the NDC, while Atiku became the ADC standard-bearer.
Speaking on the possibility of another alliance, Obi said discussions should not be viewed as negotiations between individual politicians because any agreement would involve the political parties.
“I’m a candidate, yes. So, my leader, Atiku, is a candidate of another party. I am a candidate for another party. So, you are talking about two parties coming together; it is no longer him or me,” Obi said.
He explained that the parties involved would need to determine how they could work together before discussing individual positions.
“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter is talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together,” he said.
Also Read: ADC groups give NWC ultimatum over Adamawa ticket
Obi likened the process to two corporations seeking a merger, saying such an arrangement could not simply be decided by two individuals without considering the wider structures involved.
When asked about reports that he had previously rejected the possibility of serving as vice-president to another presidential candidate, Obi dismissed the claim.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.
Obi and Atiku have a history of working together politically. He served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 presidential election.
The two politicians, however, contested the 2023 presidential election on separate platforms, with Obi running under the Labour Party, LP, and Atiku representing the PDP.
Despite their separate candidacies, Obi said he remained open to working with other opposition groups if an alliance would help address Nigeria’s major challenges.
He said any coalition he supports must prioritize national unity, the rule of law, order, accountable leadership, education, healthcare and job creation.
“I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work. That will make Nigeria productive. That will create jobs for the young ones. That will pull people out of poverty. That will make education work,” Obi added.
The Cable
