Toyyibat Qasim
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied reports that he rejected an offer to become the running mate to the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi said no such proposal was ever made to him, stressing that discussions over a possible opposition alliance should not be reduced to negotiations between individual politicians.
The former Anambra State governor stated this during an interview with Arise TV while responding to questions on the possibility of opposition parties forming an alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi and Atiku were among opposition leaders who joined forces under the ADC in 2025 as part of efforts to build a formidable political platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The alliance, however, later suffered internal disagreements, with Obi eventually emerging as the presidential candidate of the NDC, while Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket.
Asked whether he would step down for Atiku or accept the vice-presidential slot should the opposition parties reach an agreement, Obi said such a decision could not be framed as a matter between two individuals.
“I’m a candidate, yes. So, my leader, Atiku, is a candidate of another party. I am a candidate for another party. So, you are talking about two parties coming together; it is no longer him or me,” Obi said.
According to him, any possible alliance must be negotiated by the political parties involved and should be based on broader national interests rather than personal ambitions.
“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter is talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something the two CEOs go to a drink and say we are going to work together. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together,” he said.
Obi also dismissed claims that he had previously rejected an offer to serve as Atiku’s running mate.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.
Obi and Atiku have a history of working together politically. Obi served as Atiku’s running mate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 presidential election.
The relationship later changed ahead of the 2023 election, when Obi contested the presidency on the platform of the Labour Party, while Atiku remained the PDP presidential candidate.
Speaking on the conditions that could make him support or participate in a new opposition arrangement, Obi said he would back any alliance capable of addressing Nigeria’s major economic and social challenges.
He listed national unity, the rule of law, order, accountable leadership, education, healthcare and job creation among the priorities that should guide any such political arrangement.
“I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work. That will make Nigeria productive. That will create jobs for the young ones. That will pull people out of poverty. That will make education work,” Obi said.
His comments come amid renewed manoeuvring among opposition politicians seeking to build a united platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with questions over whether major opposition figures can overcome their individual ambitions and party differences to produce a single candidate.
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