GistReel
Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has addressed growing speculation over whether he could step down for Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi, speaking during an interview with Arise Television, argued that the matter has moved beyond a personal agreement between himself and Atiku because they are now candidates of separate political parties.
The former Anambra State governor said any attempt to bring both camps together would require negotiations involving their respective parties.
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Explaining his position, Obi said, “All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter, talking.”
He compared a potential political agreement to the merger of two corporations, noting that such an arrangement could not simply be decided by their leaders without considering the organisations behind them.
Obi is contesting on the NDC platform, while Atiku is the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate.
The pair previously contested together under the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019, when Obi served as Atiku’s running mate.
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During the interview, Obi was also questioned about claims that he had previously rejected an opportunity to become Atiku’s running mate.
He responded, “I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused.”
His comments come amid continuing discussions about whether opposition parties could cooperate ahead of the 2027 election as they prepare to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Obi’s remarks leave room for negotiations between opposition parties but make clear that any future arrangement would have to extend beyond a personal agreement between him and Atiku.