By Anwar Usman
The two major contenders in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) have denied reaching any agreement on a power-sharing deal for the 2027 presidential race.
The speculation emerged following a report that Atiku had offered Obi the vice-presidential slot on a joint ticket for the 2027 elections, allegedly committing to serve only one term.
The report claimed this proposal was first discussed during a private meeting between the two men earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
The report further alleged that Obi was working to secure the support of his key loyalists for the alliance.
While addressing the speculation on Monday, Obi dismissed the reported arrangement, insisting that those claiming he had agreed to run as anyone’s deputy were engaging in selfish politics detrimental to national progress.
Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election, reiterated that his focus mainly centered on promoting good governance and combating issues affecting Nigerians.
He made made the clarification during a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa, where he also donated N20 million to support the diocese’s hospital and school.
Also, former Vice President Atiku described the speculation as unfortunate, stressing that the coalition effort he is championing, along with Obi and other leaders, is still at the exploratory stage and focused on providing a credible alternative platform for Nigerians.
Clarifying the issue through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said, “We must be very careful about speculation.
“Right now, Atiku and all the other coalition leaders, including Obi, are focused on birthing this coalition in response to Nigerians’ yearnings.”
Nigerians believe this administration must go. They want to reclaim their country.
He further stated that, “If we are already discussing positions, it’s like putting the cart before the horse. People are engaging in dialogue with varying perspectives, but until a concrete position is taken by those in the discussion, anything to the contrary is just speculation.”
Obi further noted that, “I am in a coalition against hunger, poverty, and ill health. Politics for me is not about position; it is about doing the right thing. I just returned from Rome this morning, and my focus is on the education of our children, not on political appointments. In Nigeria, we often avoid the real issues—what we should be discussing is how to educate our children.”
Similarly, the Obidient Movement, Obi’s support group, denied the report. Its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, described it as baseless.“I have been in direct contact with Peter Obi, and there has been no discussion or agreement of this nature,” Tanko told Daily Trust.
“Although discussions around building a coalition for 2027 are ongoing, no such conclusions have been reached. These kinds of insinuations are unhelpful and misleading.”