Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has dismissed reports suggesting he has accepted to run as vice president to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 elections.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Obi emphasized that any coalition discussions he’s involved in are not about political positions but about confronting Nigeria’s worsening social and economic conditions.
“I’m in a coalition against hunger, poverty, and ill health — not for positions,” Obi said while donating N10 million each to an Anglican Church school and hospital project in Kubwa. “We should be talking about educating our children and improving healthcare, not power-sharing.”
The former Anambra State governor expressed frustration over persistent corruption, which he said continues to deprive the country of resources needed for development. He advocated stronger support for faith-based institutions delivering basic education and healthcare, saying they are vital for national growth.
Obidient Movement Denies VP Deal
Reacting to media reports, the Obidient Movement, a support group for Obi, also denied any political pact with Atiku.
In a statement issued by its Director of Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, the group described the publication as false and misleading.
“There is no truth whatsoever to claims that Peter Obi has agreed to run as Atiku’s vice in a proposed coalition,” Kazaure said. “Our focus is not on power for its own sake, but on delivering real change for Nigerians.”
Kazaure stressed that any updates about Obi’s political moves would come directly from him, urging Nigerians and the media to avoid speculative reporting.
Atiku Camp: Coalition Talks Ongoing, Details Yet to Be Finalized
Meanwhile, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, confirmed that discussions are underway among key opposition figures — including Obi and Atiku — to form a united front ahead of 2027.
“Substantial progress has been made,” Ibe said. “But specific details, including any power-sharing arrangements, are still being finalized. Everyone is working hard to build a viable coalition.”
He added that the leaders are deliberately keeping details confidential until the process is complete.
ADC Opens Doors for New Entrants
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is being considered as a potential platform for the opposition coalition, is revising its internal rules to welcome new political players.
Party chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, announced that he will step down to allow new leadership and that the party will ease restrictions for newcomers seeking to contest elections.
“Previously, members had to wait two years before contesting under our banner. That has changed,” he said, signaling the ADC’s readiness to serve as a unifying platform for the coalition.
As talks continue behind closed doors, the opposition’s goal appears clear: forge a united alliance to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
