There are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has proposed a joint ticket with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The proposal includes Atiku serving a single four-year term as president, after which he would hand over to Obi.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the offer was made during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom. The meeting was part of broader efforts to form a united opposition capable of unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Peter Obi, who served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly welcomed the idea but requested time to consult with his close allies and political base. Sources say recent developments suggest Obi has accepted the offer in principle, although he is still working to rally support from his loyalists.

On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition figures publicly announced a coalition in Abuja aimed at building a unified front against President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027. The announcement sparked public debate, but nearly two months later, both the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) remain mired in internal conflicts, delaying any formal agreement.

Due to the crises in both major opposition parties, attention has shifted to alternative political platforms. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is reportedly under consideration as a neutral ground. Some loyalists of Atiku and Obi have already initiated talks with ADC leadership, and a few have joined the party discreetly. Although the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was previously an option, it is believed to have been compromised by APC interests.

ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu confirmed that the party is engaged in wide-ranging discussions with key political actors across different parties, including members of the ruling APC. He also revealed that 21 former chairmen of deregistered political parties have now joined the ADC and said that a major announcement will be made soon.

Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, declined to confirm the specifics of any deal but acknowledged ongoing coalition talks. He noted that both leaders are focused on building a broad, inclusive movement to present a viable alternative to the APC government.

Meanwhile, Peter Obi’s loyalists have offered mixed responses. Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties and a close ally of Obi, refused to comment on the reported agreement but reiterated Obi’s commitment to resolving internal challenges in the Labour Party. He emphasized that the LP remains a strong platform and said efforts are ongoing to unify supporters.

Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, said he was unaware of any agreement between Atiku and Obi. He claimed that Obi had not discussed such a development with him or other close aides.

However, not all voices in the PDP support Atiku’s ambition. Diran Odeyemi, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, criticized the former vice president’s continued presidential bids. He argued that Atiku's era had passed and accused him of contributing to the party's current instability.

Despite the skepticism, some political observers see a potential Atiku-Obi alliance as logical, given their previous collaboration in 2019. According to analysts, the success of such a coalition would depend on its ability to present a credible nationwide structure capable of rivaling the APC, which continues to strengthen its hold, particularly in the South-South and among voters in the North-West and South-West.

While no official confirmation has been made regarding a joint Atiku-Obi ticket, political consultations and coalition efforts are intensifying. With presidential campaigns expected to begin formally by mid-2026, all eyes remain on how the opposition will organize itself ahead of 2027.