Making Sense of Atiku’s Alleged Vice Presidential Offer to Peter Obi: A 2027 Election Gamechanger?


 Atiku Abubakar’s reported offer of the vice presidential ticket to Peter Obi has stirred political debates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. What does this mean for Obi’s supporters, the opposition coalition, and Nigeria’s political landscape? I break it down.


Atiku's Alleged VP Offer to Obi

When I read the news about this offer as reported by The Punch Newspaper on May 19th, 2025, the first thing that came to my mind was:

"The Obidients are not going to like this."

And true to fact, a number of Obi’s supporters on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter)—are already writing open letters to him, warning against accepting any offer short of a presidential ticket, or else they’ll withdraw their support for him in 2027.

Why the Obidients Are Unhappy

Their reasons are not far-fetched: Obi, in their estimation, is the only one who can rescue Nigeria. They are already reminding him of how hard they laboured to campaign and vote for him in 2023.

Now, there is something we need to take note of which is the fact that about a decade ago, nobody, at least on the national level, really looked at Obi with any kind of special regard. Nobody saw him as presidential material. As far as many Nigerians were concerned, he was just like any regular politician.

But, just as I pointed out in one of my radio programmes, something made Obi rise to national prominence and made people begin to see him as a different kind of politician.

The Speech That Changed Everything

It all began in 2016, at The Platform Nigeria, an event organised by Covenant Christian Centre.

Obi, one of the speakers at the event, gave a detailed account of his stewardship as Anambra Governor. He held the audience spellbound with stories of:

  • How he rejected luxury even as governor
  • How he reduced government convoys
  • How he flew economy class
  • How he saved billions for Anambra State

The effect of that speech was instant. It left a lasting impression on many Nigerians. They saw him as a political figure seemingly not cut from the same cloth as others.

That image went on to define Obi’s political brand: He was selected as vice-presidential candidate in 2019 under PDP. That same image fueled his ambition to contest the presidency under PDP in 2023. When the PDP plan failed, Obi moved to the Labour Party, giving birth to the now-popular Obidient Movement.

Through the Obidient Movement, he came third in the election, securing 6.1 million votes—an impressive result for a newcomer.

Why the VP Offer Is a Big Deal

Today, Obi’s influence continues to grow. He remains a key opinion leader, a top presidential hopeful and a politician whose words attract national attention

So, you can understand why his supporters are threatening to withdraw their support if he accepts a vice-presidential ticket. They not only believe in him—they believe they were robbed of a deserved victory in 2023. They believe Obi is the best politician in Nigeria today, and would have won in 2023 if the election had been free and fair.

But while they hold on to that belief, Atiku too believes in himself. After all, he scored 6.9 million votes in the 2023 election—about 800,000 votes more than Obi.

This presents a dilemma:

  • Obi is more popular, especially among the youths.
  • But Atiku has the numbers.
  • Atiku perhaps believes it makes sense for Obi to be his running mate.

That’s why he’s reportedly reaching out again with a VP offer.

Could Their Numbers Beat Tinubu?

With the figures both of them garnered in the last election, when combined, it surpasses the 8.7 million votes President Tinubu received.

Just like some have noted: If both politicians had run together under the PDP in 2023, they could have beaten Tinubu.

No doubt, a coalition is needed for the 2027 election. But the question is:

  • Who will step down for the other?
  • What will each camp gain or lose in that process?

What Obi Stands to Lose

  • His popularity
  • His larger-than-life image
  • His core supporters (many may withdraw)
  • The risk of low voter turnout in 2027

Some would even argue that now is the best time for Obi to contest for president, as his popularity is still high.

What Atiku Stands to Lose

Some say—nothing. That he should support the younger generation.

But can you really tell that to a man who has been pursuing the presidency since 1993?

Atiku’s ambition is to become president, and it’s showing in the way he’s organizing this coalition move. Something he’s never really done in the past. He used to be taunted for running back to Dubai after every election, but this time, Atiku is on ground, taking the bull by the horns. Since the 2023 election, we’re seeing a different kind of Atiku.

Mixed Signals from Obi

The Punch Newspaper authoritatively reported that Obi had accepted Atiku’s VP offer but was seeking the approval of his supporters. But the man in question has not categorically affirmed the report.

In fact, he’s giving mixed signals:

  • One minute, he’s in a coalition meeting or sending a representative
  • The next, he says the only coalition he belongs to is one against hunger and poverty
  • One minute, he’s speculated to be leaving the Labour Party
  • The next, he affirms that he’s still in the Labour Party

These mixed signals do not help matters.

What History Teaches Us

By this time in 2013 (before the 2015 election), Tinubu and his allies had:

  • Already formed a new political party
  • Visited Daura to declare Buhari their preferred APC candidate

Tinubu did this by sacrificing his own presidential ambition.

Fast forward to today:

  • Who is willing to make that sacrifice?
  • Under which party will it happen?
  • When will a final decision be made?

If these questions remain unanswered, the opposition may as well kiss 2027 goodbye.

There are reports they are considering ADC, but we’ll see how things go.

One-Term Promise: Can It Be Trusted?

The promise that Atiku will do only one term if Obi accepts the VP slot needs proper scrutiny.

On what basis is Atiku offering to do one term? Because of his age? Or because he will be running under PDP, where the North still needs to complete its term due to Yar’Adua’s death? Is it a trustworthy offer?

Besides, many elites don’t really rate Obi like that. Some even think they’re better than him. Remember what Kwankwaso said during the 2023 election? He said he was better than Obi because he had more qualifications, while Obi only had experience in trade and governorship.

So, would his likes if found in the coalition accept that Obi should take over after Atiku without someone shouting, “I’m better than Obi!”?

Or without someone insisting the North should complete its two terms?Remember President Jonathan, from the South, reportedly promised to do one term, but he reneged on it.

So, whatever coalition is being formed must be built on honesty.

When ACN, CPC, and other parties merged to form the APC, everyone knew what they wanted. Buhari did eight years. Tinubu took over.

The Big Question

So what’s it going to be?Will Obi step down because he’s younger and still has time? Or will Atiku step down because he’s aging and Obi is more popular, even though Atiku got more votes in 2023?

Some would say there’s no better time for a coalition to work than now—given the economic hardship in the country.

People are finding it hard to feed, let alone save.

But, will the Obidients agree? 

This is one angle of the coalition talk that needs urgent answers. And it will determine the trajectory of the 2027 election.

We can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

🎧 You can listen to the podcast version of this and connect with me across platforms—Spreaker, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and more—via:
🔗 linktr.ee/NjidekaMaduka


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