Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, officials close to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have been said to have approached Peter Obi and presented him with the vice-presidential seat on a suggested one-term power-sharing deal.
Sources state that the proposition is part of negotiations in progress to form a strong coalition of major opposition parties to challenge the governing party. Under the plan, Atiku would be president and serve a single term before handing over the baton to Obi in 2031.
The step is said to be among steps being taken to unite the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), whose split votes in the 2023 election allowed the ruling government to win.
Flashback
Both Atiku and Obi ran together in 2019 on the PDP ticket with Obi as Atiku’s vice president. Despite losing to the All Progressives Congress (APC), their alliance garnered massive support, especially from the South-East and urban areas. However, by 2023, Obi switched parties to run under the Labour Party where he finished third but won youth-based votes in a landslide.
Now, with 2027 in sight, opposition politicians are seeking ways of a repeat of the split result. PDP members claim some believe that putting Obi on a reunion ticket would improve the coalition’s national appeal, especially the young and southerners.
Although there are negotiations, neither Obi nor Atiku has officially spoken. Political analysts say that the offer demonstrates that the opposition is eager to outdo the APC during the next election.
Obi’s supporters are divided. Some want him to run for president independently again, while others believe a united front is the best chance to win. There are also concerns about trust between the camps, given past disagreements.
Both parties are currently said to be negotiating conditions, such as who should get strategic positions, zoning agreements, and campaign strategies. The deal, if it happens, would reshape Nigeria’s politics in 2027.
Lastly, the alleged one-term agreement between Atiku and Obi represents a new twist in opposition strategy. Success would be based on trust, unity, and public approval.
