Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have denied rumors of planning a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election following their recent reunion in Adamawa State.
The speculation began after Atiku shared a video on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, showcasing a breakfast meeting with Obi at his residence. Accompanying the post was the caption:
“It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty.’”
The video, which went viral, featured the two political figures seated at a dining table, sharing a meal in what appeared to be a friendly gathering.
Reunion Sparks Political Speculation
The meeting fueled online discussions, with many linking it to a possible alliance for the 2027 elections. This comes months after Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hinted at ongoing discussions between Atiku, Obi, and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso to form a united opposition front.
During a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily earlier in the year, Abdullahi suggested that opposition leaders were exploring a merger to counter the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and prevent what he described as “the collapse of the country.”
Clarifications from Both Camps
Addressing the recent meeting, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, dismissed political implications, describing the breakfast as a casual reunion of old friends.
“Peter Obi was in Adamawa as the keynote speaker for the 20th anniversary and 16th Founder’s Day celebration of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), a milestone event hosted by Atiku Abubakar, the university’s founder. Politics had no role in their meeting—it was simply friends catching up,” Ibe explained.
Similarly, Ibrahim Umar, Obi’s media aide, refuted claims of any political undertone.
“It’s amusing how people always attach political significance to every meeting between prominent figures. Obi was invited to deliver a speech; that’s all. The breakfast meeting had nothing to do with 2027 or politics,” Umar said.
A History of Collaboration
The reunion follows the pair’s collaboration in the 2019 presidential election, where Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the PDP. Despite their subsequent divergence in political ambitions—Obi left the PDP to contest under the Labour Party in 2023—the meeting highlighted enduring camaraderie between the two.
Broader Context
Rumors of an opposition merger have gained traction as Nigeria’s political landscape remains fragmented. The PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP are under pressure to consolidate efforts to challenge the APC’s dominance.
While both Atiku and Obi have dismissed Saturday’s gathering as non-political, analysts suggest their continued interactions signal potential strategic alignments. Whether these discussions will evolve into an electoral pact remains to be seen.
