…ATIKU’s Running Mate In 2027
-
Details Of Their Unresolved Issues
Many political watchers have been wondering why Peter Obi has not formally joined the ADC. A few days back, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar joined the ADC officially, months after he left the PDP. Mallam El-Rufai has done the same thing. He is now a full member of APC. But Peter Obi has not left the Labour Party for ADC. And there are strong indications that the movement of the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is uncertain.
This comes as Obi’s spokesman, Tanko Yunusa, announced recently that Obi would reveal when he chooses to formally join the ADC.
The ADC, a coalition party ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku, Obi, Elrufai and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi, aims to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Obi’s former running mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed recently reaffirmed that the former presidential candidate remains a member of the Labour Party, despite the party’s internal challenges.
Baba-Ahmed stated this at the Labour Party National Executive Council (NEC) a few days ago.
Recall that the national publicity secretary of ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, had said Obi and some other party leaders were granted a period of grace to finalise their activities with former parties before formally joining the ADC.
In the case of Obi, he was permitted to finalise the recently held Anambra State governorship election before formally joining the ADC.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai have formally registered with the ADC.
When asked about Obi’s expected move to the ADC, his spokesman, Yunusa, said when he decides to move, he will say it by himself.”
Sources within the Labour Party say that Obi’s joining the ADC remains hazy.
The uncertainty surrounding Obi’s move has sparked debate, with many analysts questioning the implications for the Labour Party and the ADC.
The ADC’s national publicity secretary, Abdullahi, has maintained that Obi is part of the coalition and will likely join the party after concluding pending electoral processes.
The ADC is leading a broad coalition featuring prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufal, and former minister Rotimi Amaechi, with the shared aim of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Political observers say Obi’s role, whether inside or outside the Labour Party, could significantly shape the opposition’s strength going into the next election cycle.
While ADC officials remain confident that Obi is part of the coalition, his spokesperson’s silence has generated questions about his generated direction.
Right now, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is in search of Southern Vice presidential running mate ahead of the 2027 elections, with eyes firmly on Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer, Peter Obi.
Sources say if Obi turns down the offer to pair with Atiku – as he did in their failed 2019 PDP joint ticket -the next target would be former Rivers State Governor and ex-Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi who says he wants to be President not VP.
Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu, who has been pushing for the reunion, has urged Obi to seize the opportunity, calling it the “strongest alliance” tobootout President Bola Tinubu and end APC’s grip on power.
Recalling their 2019 loss to Muhammadu Buhari and the 2023 split that handed victory to Tinubu, Momodu blamed Obi’s “Obidient” supporters for blocking unity, claiming they’re engineering a “Southern-only opposition” to weaken Northern challengers like Atiku.
“There’s no way any Southerncandidatecan defeat Tinubu,” Momodu warned, adding he’s met Obi multiple times in Lagos and Ghana to pitch the deal. “If Peter doesn’t take this
Despite the pressure, Atiku and Obi reportedly maintain regular contact.
Obi’s spokesman and Obidient Movement National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, has demanded for clear terms from Atiku’s side before any talks.
While open to the coalition, Tanko insisted a joint ticket must define roles and vision: “We need a leader with mobility and depth to fix Nigeria’s rot. Obi has that.” He pushed for a strong Southern candidate to “complete the South’s four years” post-Tinubu, with Obi pledging just one term if elected.
Tanko dismissed a VP slot as mismatched, emphasizing Obi’s nationwide appeal over regional zoning games.
Obi recently renewed his membership of the LP. That was during the November 5, 2025, governorship poll in Anambra State, when he said, “As a member of the Labour Party, I’m supporting my party’s candidate, Dr George Moghalu.” This LP is Senator Usman’s faction.
For Obi, building structures that would strengthen his political clout within the ADC is becoming a challenge, especially in the face of the prolonged factional crisis with LP.
Investigation shows that just as el-Rufal pressured Obi last week to leave LP for the
ADC, close associates and leaders of groups within the Obidient Movement, OM, are also putting pressure on Obi to provide political direction to its members.
“The question on the lips of every Obidient (OM member) is: what next. We are expecting our principal to make a declaration. Nobody knows where he is going, where he belongs, what his position is. Do we remain in LP or go to ADC.? Time is running out,” an influential member.
Those close to Peter Obi say that he is relunctant to be running mate t o Atiku and that he desires to contest for Presidency.
Although Atiku would like him to be his running mate to enable them strengthen their ticket, Peter Obi has not made up his mind.
He is also not happy with the fact that he doesn’t know the modalities for power sharing.
When in September, ADC publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi gave ultimatum to Peter Obi and other to join the ADC, Dr, Yunusa Tanko responded on behalf of Peter Obi.
“We are particularly concerned about how the party (ADC) intends to zone its presidential ticket, considering that the presidency is currently held by the South. So issues of EQUITY & FAIRNESS must guide such decisions if the party truly aims to secure victory in the 2027 elections”.
“We are equally interested in how the party zones its principal offices within the coalition, as this will ensure justice, fairness and inclusivity – factors that will enable us to mobilise effectively across the country”.
“While we remain fully committed to the vision of the Coalition and acknowledge the adoption of the ADC, as the coalition platform, it is on record that H.E Peter Obi aligned with the coalition’s position after the Anambra State Governorship election, extending to the 2027 General Elections.”
“This adoption and pronouncement were made publicly by the party. We are therefore concerned as to why the resolution is now being attered midway into the agreement”.
“H.E. Peter Obi is a leader with a broad constituency has always taken time to consult widely before making major political decisions. He did so before joining the Coalition, and he must also do so before responding to any ultimation.”
