Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied reports that he rejected an offer to become the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi said no such proposal was ever made to him.
He made the clarification during an interview with Arise TV while responding to questions about a possible alliance among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
In 2025, Obi, Atiku and other opposition leaders came together under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of efforts to form a broad opposition coalition.
The coalition later fractured, with Obi emerging as the presidential candidate of the NDC, while Atiku became the ADC presidential candidate.
Asked whether he would step down for Atiku or accept the vice-presidential slot if an alliance was reached, Obi said the issue had moved beyond individual candidates.
“I’m a candidate, yes. So, my leader, Atiku, is a candidate of another party. I am a candidate for another party. So, you are talking about two parties coming together; it is no longer him or me,” he said.
Obi explained that any possible alliance would have to be negotiated by the political parties rather than reduced to discussions between individual candidates.
“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter is talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something the two CEOs go to a drink and say we are going to work together. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together,” he said.
When reminded of reports that he had previously rejected a vice-presidential offer from Atiku, Obi denied that such an offer had ever been made.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.
Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election. However, they contested the 2023 election on different platforms, with Obi running under the Labour Party and Atiku under the Peoples Democratic Party.
The NDC candidate said he would support any alliance committed to national unity, the rule of law, order, accountable leadership, education, healthcare and job creation.
“I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work. That will make Nigeria productive. That will create jobs for the young ones. That will pull people out of poverty. That will make education work,” Obi added.
About the Author
