The Atiku Obi alliance gathers force as both camps weigh a joint 2027 bid amid shifting political calculations
In what political observers describe as a powerful shift in Nigeria’s pre-election landscape, the Atiku Obi alliance is being actively courted as part of a broader strategy by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s bloc within the African Democratic Party, correspondents learnt on Saturday.
Also read: ADC membership dispute intensifies as Atiku faces rejection
Sources revealed that Atiku’s camp has begun searching for a southern running mate for the 2027 presidential poll, with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi emerging as the preferred choice.
Should Obi decline, discussions may turn towards former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking to our correspondent, media mogul and political ally of Atiku, Dele Momodu, urged Obi to unite with Atiku to challenge President Bola Tinubu, arguing that both men remain the strongest opposition pairing capable of breaking the All Progressives Congress’ grip on power.
Momodu recalled that the duo had previously contested together on a PDP ticket in 2019 before running separately in 2023, which split the opposition vote and ultimately benefited Tinubu.
With Atiku now in the ADC and Obi still with the Labour Party, Momodu insisted that the time for a decisive alliance was fast approaching.
He criticised what he described as reluctance among Obi’s supporters and warned that delay could push Atiku toward Amaechi, whom he said had once played a critical role in Buhari’s rise to power.
Despite the overtures, the Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, affirmed Obi’s readiness to run in 2027 but demanded clarity from Atiku’s camp.
He suggested that a joint ticket may be unlikely and argued that a strong southern candidate remained the most viable route to defeating the incumbent.
Tanko said Obi was prepared to serve only one term if elected, insisting that Nigeria now needed a leader capable of moving decisively across regions while diagnosing and addressing core national challenges.
Meanwhile, aides close to Amaechi confirmed his interest in the ADC presidential ticket but acknowledged that intense negotiations were inevitable before the primaries.
Some allies privately admitted that a pre-primary deal with Atiku might prove strategically beneficial.
As political calculations intensify, it remains unclear whether Obi will embrace the overtures or pursue an independent path.
Also read: Atiku Abubakar officially joins ADC, boosting opposition
What appears certain, however, is that the evolving Atiku Obi Alliance debate is already reshaping expectations for the 2027 contest.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
