Barring any last-minute change of plans, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is reportedly set to resign his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as he intensifies preparations to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC).
According to reports, it was gathered from multiple impeccable sources that Atiku, who has made several unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, has finalized plans to actualise his long-held ambition through the ADC.
As part of the new political alignment, Atiku’s camp has reportedly settled on former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as his running mate for the 2027 polls. Sources familiar with the high-level negotiations disclosed to newsmen that Obi has given his approval to join forces with Atiku after several months of behind-the-scenes talks.
It was learnt that the breakthrough came following the intervention of a former Nigerian president, who played a pivotal role in convincing both camps to unite in the interest of national stability and strategic political advantage.
According to insiders, the negotiations reached a turning point when Obi’s group, initially hesitant due to concerns about the political implications in the South-East, and among his staunch supporters – the ‘Obidient Movement’ – was assured of a robust plan to manage the anticipated backlash.
To mitigate discontent in the South-East and across parts of Southern Nigeria, key political figures, including the aforementioned ex-president and influential northern leaders, have agreed to set up a high-powered committee of prominent Igbo elders. This committee will work quietly but effectively to pacify stakeholders and garner support for the alliance.
To this end, the former President advised the parties involved to keep the deal close to their chest as consultations on how to calm fraying nerves are on-going before the matter goes to public domain.
It was further gathered that the power-sharing formula reportedly agreed upon includes a firm commitment from Atiku to serve only one term if elected, after which power would shift to the South-East, with Obi receiving full backing from the North to succeed him. This arrangement is seen by many as a strategic step toward finally realising an Igbo presidency in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Political analysts and stakeholders behind the alliance believe that only a united Atiku/Obi ticket can pose a formidable challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election. According to one source: “The North is ready to support Obi after Atiku. It’s a win-win arrangement that will heal the nation and restore balance in the political structure”.
The committee’s primary mandate is to communicate this promise of succession to the South-East electorate and ensure broad-based acceptance of the Atiku/Obi ticket.
However, reacting to the report, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, said he was unaware of any plans by his principal to leave the PDP for the ADC. “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, on Friday.
He added that the rumors were aimed at creating distractions ahead of the 2027 elections. “These are the handiwork of certain individuals trying to cause distraction”, he stated.
Similarly, the Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide and spokesperson for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, Yunusa Tanko, said the former Anambra State governor has not informed him of any plans to join the ADC, or run as Atiku’s running mate in 2027. According to him, “As far as I’m concerned, no such story has come to my desk. I’m not aware of it”.
“Although a lot of people are making calculations on how best to save the country , Peter Obi has not made such information known. So I count it as a calculation of some individuals, who are working on how best to save the country”, he added.
