By Zara Maisango
In what could dramatically reshape Nigeria’s political terrain ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, the position of Vice President in a proposed coalition ticket—with a promise to serve only a single term before handing over to Obi.
Sources close to the high-level negotiation revealed that the proposal was first tabled during a strategic meeting in the United Kingdom earlier this year, with both men expressing commitment to dethroning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Obi, who ran alongside Atiku on the PDP ticket in 2019, is said to be in the midst of intense consultations with his core loyalists before making a final decision. While both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the LP continue to grapple with internal crises, the coalition is reportedly exploring the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a neutral platform for the alliance.
The coalition talks gained public attention on March 20, 2025, when Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other key opposition figures jointly announced their intent to form a united front against the APC during a landmark press conference in Abuja. Despite the enthusiasm, infighting within PDP and LP has slowed momentum.
According to insiders, the coalition is eyeing May 2026 as the date to formally announce its candidates, with Atiku and Obi reportedly agreeing in principle to sign a single-term pact that would see Obi take the reins in 2031.
Peter Ahmeh, a known Obi loyalist, refused to comment on the rumored single-term agreement but reiterated Obi’s unwavering commitment to resolving the leadership tussles plaguing the Labour Party. Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, a prominent figure in the Obedient Movement, denied any knowledge of the purported agreement.
On the other hand, the National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that talks were underway with major stakeholders and hinted at a significant political announcement in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, PDP stalwarts like Diran Odeyemi have urged Atiku to reconsider his presidential ambition, labeling it a hindrance to the party’s renewal. Yet, voices from the North, including Anthony Sani of the Arewa Consultative Forum, have welcomed the potential alliance, describing it as a strategic return to a tested partnership.
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, declined to confirm the deal but acknowledged both leaders' commitment to uniting opposition forces ahead of the 2027 polls.
If sealed, the Atiku-Obi pact could emerge as the most formidable challenge yet to the dominance of the APC, altering Nigeria’s political equation and potentially heralding a new era of coalition governance.