2027 Merger talks: Obi, Atiku’s stance to be revealed in due time

Abdulrasheed Shehu, an assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has stated that a merger or coalition with the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is still possible.
After their Saturday meeting in Yola, Atiku and Peter Obi reportedly revived discussions over the prospect of both running for president in 2027.
Obi delivered the keynote address at the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which Atiku controls.

Although both politicians’ spokespersons denied that the invitation had any political implications, social media was abuzz, particularly after Atiku shared a video of his breakfast meeting with Peter Obi at his Yola home.

However, there are suggestions that the conference was part of preparations for the 2027 presidential contest, as the problems between the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) show no signs of abating.

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An X user, Theo Agada, stated, “Repeat the 2019 ticket and vow to complete one term. Then watch the Nigerians do their thing.”

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the LP’s Lagos State governorship candidate in the last election, quoted Atiku’s tweet and commented, “We must form a united opposition to end this T-pain remix that we are all featuring in,” referring to the country’s current difficulty.

Doyin Okupe, who previously served as Peter Obi’s campaign director but recently shifted allegiance to President Bola Tinubu, presented a contrasting perspective in a post on his X Twitter.

He remarked, “The politically naive, uninformed, or intolerant have always attacked me when I say that politics is a game, not a religion. There are no permanent friends or enemies—only permanent interests! Expect some interesting days ahead. We now shift from consumption to absorption. “End of discussion!”

However, speaking with Daily Trust, Abdulrasheed Shehu confirmed that Peter Obi and Atiku did not discuss the 2027 election or a merger at their meeting on Saturday.

He stated that the two lawmakers would disclose their positions on potential mergers at the proper time.

He stated, “There was no conversation about 2027. He just welcomed Obi to Yola and shared breakfast with him before accompanying him to AUN, where Obi delivered a remarkable presentation. But, as you may be aware, Oga (Atiku) initiated the demand for a coalition of opposition leaders following the 2023 general elections in order to defeat the APC in the next election. When the time comes, their viewpoint will be made clear.”