The race for the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria has intensified. Even though the election will hold in 2 years time, top politicians are mobilizing, with several realignments and shifts occurring. Key politicians and stakeholders are defecting to preferred political parties in pursuit of their political ambitions.
In recent weeks, notable politicians have defected to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in order to solidify their chances for the 2027 election. Some state governors, House of Representatives members, Senators etc have made this switch, while other prominent figures are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks or months. This move has unsettled the opposition, prompting them to hold impromptu meetings, many of which have been conducted in secret.…CONTINUE READING
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have been meeting to form a strong alliance or coalition to increase their chances of dethroning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is one of the key opposition figures who views the 2027 presidential election as a critical moment in his political career, especially given his age and previous electoral attempts. He believes he possesses the necessary numbers, financial resources, and influence to challenge the current president, but recognizes that he needs more than that to fulfill his long-held ambition.
According to our sources, Atiku Abubakar has been searching for a running mate, ideally from the South. However, he seeks more than just any candidate; he wants someone who meets his specific criteria, unlike in the last election when he ran with the former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa. The only individual who ticks all the boxes for him is former presidential candidate Peter Obi from the Labour Party.
In a bid to form a coalition, Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders, such as Nasir El-Rufai of the SDP, Rotimi Ameachi, and Bukola Saraki of the PDP, have been meeting. However, they face significant obstacles, primarily related to power control, which have hindered them from reaching a meaningful agreement.
Our insiders reveal that Nasir El-Rufai is demanding the position of Vice President, fully aware that his departure from the APC was motivated by his dissatisfaction with not securing what he wanted. Meanwhile, Bukola Saraki wants to be allowed to run under the PDP platform, or at a minimum, to run alongside Peter Obi in a vice-presidential capacity. These meetings have largely become negotiations of interests among the various parties involved. Atiku Abubakar has expressed a willingness to serve just one term and then hand over to Peter Obi.
In fact, this offer appears to have been made during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year. Atiku is said to have assured Obi that he would serve only one term and then hand over power afterward.
“Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK, where Atiku first proposed the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi requested time to think it over and consult his loyalists,” one source revealed.
Another insider confirmed, “Recent developments show that Obi has agreed to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also committed to serving a single four-year term before handing over power to the former Anambra State governor. They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary.”
The proposed alliance has revived memories of the 2019 presidential election, when Obi was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That pair lost the election to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Another source confirmed that while Peter Obi was initially willing, his followers quickly opposed the decision. Obi feels he should not lose his dedicated supporters, known as the Obidients. Media reports indicate that both Obi and Abubakar have denied reaching any power-sharing deal or agreeing to run on a joint ticket in the 2027 election.
On May 20, 2025, Obi told the media that he was focused on promoting good governance and addressing issues affecting Nigerians. “I am in a coalition against hunger, poverty, and ill health. For me, politics is not about position; it is about doing the right thing,” Obi was quoted as saying. Similarly, Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, dismissed claims of such a deal but confirmed that there were coalition talks ongoing.
When speaking with a close ally of Dr. Bukola Saraki, it was mentioned that another round of meetings is expected in the coming weeks. The key players hope to reach a consensus, as discussions continue, even in private. “They believe the only way to defeat Tinubu in the upcoming election is to team up. Atiku and Obi recognize this and are giving it serious consideration.”
A former PDP chieftain from Kwara State, who is close to Atiku Abubakar, stated that come 2027, Atiku will receive support from major leaders in the North. They are exploring various methods to persuade Peter Obi to accept the proposal, but Obi believes that Nigerians see him as a man of integrity, and aligning with Atiku could damage his reputation. His Obidients movement would likely not support such a partnership.
Regarding the Obidients movement, a statement issued a few weeks ago and signed by Nana Kazaure, the group’s Director of Strategic Communications and Media, described the report about Obi’s potential running mate position as “entirely baseless” and “a product of the author’s imagination.”
“The Obidient Movement has received numerous inquiries from members at home and abroad, as well as from the general public, following a media report alleging that our principal, Peter Obi, has been offered a running mate position to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a proposed 2027 coalition. Although the report is fictitious, we feel compelled to respond due to the potential for public misunderstanding,” the statement read.
While confirming that conversations with political stakeholders are ongoing, the movement clarified that these discussions are focused on addressing national issues—not on political bargaining. “Without fear of contradiction, we reaffirm that Mr. Obi’s interest in any coalition is to unite efforts against bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out-of-school children, and other critical issues confronting Nigerians,” the statement continued. “We advocate for politics that is progressive and people-centered, not motivated solely by the pursuit of power.”
– Citypeople
