In a stunning political twist that could reshape Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is reportedly preparing to exit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with plans to name Mr. Peter Obi—former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate—as his running mate.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter revealed to PlatinumPost that Atiku, a veteran of several presidential contests, has finalized arrangements to contest the 2027 elections under the ADC banner. The move, described as “calculated and strategic,” is aimed at consolidating opposition forces to present a united front against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to insiders, the decision to pair up with Obi followed months of discreet negotiations, brokered in part by a former Nigerian president, whose intervention proved pivotal in sealing the deal. Obi, who initially expressed reservations—particularly due to potential backlash from his South-East base and the fiercely loyal Obidient Movement—was eventually convinced after reassurances of a carefully managed alliance rollout.
Sources confirmed that a high-powered committee of respected Igbo elders and Northern political leaders has already been set up to quietly build consensus and sell the alliance across regional divides. The team’s mandate is to navigate ethnic sensitivities, mitigate discontent in the South-East, and mobilize grassroots support ahead of any formal announcement.
One of the core terms of the alliance, PlatinumPost learned, is a one-term presidency commitment from Atiku. If elected, he is expected to hand over power to Peter Obi in 2031, setting the stage for a historic Igbo presidency—a milestone yet to be achieved in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
“The North is ready to support Obi after Atiku,” a source close to the negotiations said. “It’s a win-win arrangement that will heal the nation and restore balance in the political structure.”
This behind-the-scenes move is already gaining traction among political strategists, who argue that only a ticket like Atiku/Obi can mount a serious challenge to Tinubu’s incumbency. Echoing this sentiment, Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson of Obi’s 2023 campaign, recently remarked on Channels Television’s Politics Today that no single candidate can unseat Tinubu without a broad-based coalition.
“It will take unity and strategic alliances. No one man can defeat Tinubu in 2027,” Okonkwo said.
Still, official reactions from both camps suggest a carefully guarded secret—at least for now.
Paul Ibe, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, denied knowledge of any such move when contacted by PlatinumPost.
“These are just speculations. Is he supposed to join all the political parties? As of this morning, he remains in the PDP, and there’s nothing to suggest otherwise at the moment,” Ibe said.
“These are the handiwork of certain individuals trying to cause distraction.”
Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, interim national coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide and Peter Obi’s campaign spokesperson, said he had not received any official brief on the development.
“As far as I’m concerned, no such story has come to my desk. I’m not aware of it,” Tanko told PlatinumPost.
“Although a lot of people are making calculations on how best to save the country, Peter Obi has not made such information known.”
While denials continue, the undercurrents of this potential political realignment are already sparking nationwide debates, raising anticipation that a seismic shift may be on the horizon.
If the Atiku-Obi alliance becomes official, it would represent the most consequential opposition coalition since the 2015 APC merger—a move that ended PDP’s 16-year grip on power.
Stay tuned to Abuja Network News for exclusive updates on this developing story.