Rumours are ongoing that ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has offered the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a vice president role in a joint single-term ticket. Reliable sources involved in the coalition efforts, who prefer to be anonymous due to not being authorised to speak on the issue, have informed The PUNCH that the proposal came up during a meeting between Atiku and Obi early this year in the United Kingdom.
According to a party chieftain privy to the political decision, Atiku and Obi have finally reached an agreement and are now working on consulting with their loyalists.
The chieftain said that because most political parties in Nigeria would have revealed their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections by May 2026, the coalition is trying to move quickly.
He disclosed that the leaders agree that only a coalition between Atiku, Peter Obi and other key political figures across Nigeria can wrestle power back from Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2 years’ time.
“You know that by this time next year, by May 2026, almost all parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections. So, the coalition move is mindful of that.
The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu. So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this,” he said.
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He further noted that Peter Obi initially asked Atiku for some time to ponder over the decision to be Atiku’s Vice President, but recent developments indicate that he has accepted to be Abubakar’s running mate.
He maintained that the agreement is sealed and both parties would even pen a written agreement if necessary.
“Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK. That was where Atiku first mooted the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.
But recent developments show that Obi has accepted to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also agreed to serve a single four-year term and hand over to the former Anambra State governor. They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary. Obi is trying to get the buy-in of his loyalists before this is formally announced,” he added.
