2027 Election: 'Obi Has Accepted to Become VP Candidate,' Tinubu's Spokesman Speaks, Makes Claim

• In May, Peter Obi's followers learnt about a proposed presidential ticket placing the former Anambra state governor as running mate to Atiku Abubakar
• However, Obi's supporters, known as 'Obidients', made it clear that they would never accept a vice-presidential position for him, thereby stalling the anti-President Bola Tinubu coalition negotiations
• Amid the uncertainties around the coalition moves, Atiku's former ally, Daniel Bwala, disclosed that Obi has been having meetings to become the vice-presidential candidate, and "he has accepted it"

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - Barrister Daniel Bwala, one of the presidential spokespersons, has claimed that Peter Obi has accepted to become a vice-presidential (VP) candidate in the 2027 election.

Legit.ng reports that Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, was the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 election.

2027 election: Obi and anti-Tinubu coalition

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, SelahMeditate, Bwala, the special adviser on media and public communications to President Bola Tinubu, predicted that Obi would disappoint his staunch supporters, popularly called 'Obidients'.

Legit.ng reports that a coalition of opposition leaders is spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi. The alliance once gained significant momentum.

Political analysts have expressed mixed reactions over the coalition drive and the prospects of opposition unity to achieve its agenda. While some experts see the coalition’s formation as a significant realignment in Nigerian politics, others regard it as sheer exploratory talks that lack ideological clarity beyond the anti-Tinubu sentiments.

Berating Obi, Bwala said:

“When people change party, Peter Obi abuses them. He is currently discussing on how to become vice-presidential candidate. The Obidients said the only reason they are supporting him is so that Peter Obi would be the president of Nigeria. Anything short of that, they are not going to agree. He has been having meetings to become the vice-presidential candidate. He has accepted it."

The snippet of the video interview can be watched below:

Reactions as Bwala knocks Peter Obi

Several internet users shared their thoughts after watching Bwala's video.

Legit.ng captured some X comments below:

@sophiaDprincess commented:

"Nigerians at home and abroad, I solemnly swear by Almighty God that I, my friends, my family and my entire community voted for Peter Obi in 2023, and would wholeheartedly vote for him again in 2027, and not even Tinubu, APC miscreants nor APC urchins can stop us. So Help Us God!"

@Honlegacy1 wrote:

"Oga, you are not saying anything new. The words you said before joining APC is what I hold.

"You said terrible things about Tinubu and APC. Now you’re recounting, nah man, no integrity.

"Nobody believes you and all these empty statements you’re making - wrap it up."

@DeFireWithin said:

"I will tell you three things, Bwala:

1. You're in a sinking ship.

2. You're on the wrong side of history.

3. Your words will be used against you.

4. When you plan and speak so confidently, remember the force majeure!

"Time is our best ally!"

Pastor warns Peter Obi against being Atiku’s running mate

Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Jerry Nwachukwu, in an exclusive chat with Legit.ng warned Obi against accepting a vice-presidential slot in the 2027 election.

According to the cleric, Obi, being a notable and admirable political figure, could be supported under any political platform, but would be rejected by Nigerians if he deputised any other person.

"In 2027, Peter Obi should never accept to deputise anybody under any circumstances," the cleric said.

"Any political party he joins, Nigerians will still vote for him. But instead of being a running mate for anyone, he should not run at all, because, well-meaning Nigerians, especially the Obidient Movement, will reject such a ticket.

"Accepting to be a running mate will be the worst political decision he has ever made, no matter the promise attached to it. Instead of Peter Obi accepting the role of a running mate, and disgracing himself at the polls, he should allow President Tinubu to go for a second tenure and complete the slot of the South."

'Atiku cannot deputise Peter Obi' - Expert

In the meantime, a political analyst, Segun Akinleye, explained that the rationale political decision for Atiku would be Obi deputising the former vice-president.

Akinleye pointed out that Atiku has more experience than the Labour Party chieftain.

He told Legit.ng:

"It is laughable when some people say Peter Obi should not deputise Atiku Abubakar in the coalition. How? That is what I just can't understand. Let's put emotions and the noise aside. In the 2023 elections, both went solo and what was the outcome? Despite the online noise, Peter Obi came third, behind Atiku Abubakar and the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu. So, if we are talking about popularity, Atiku is ahead of him, irrespective of the noise.

"Second, when we talk about experience in governance, Atiku Abubakar is far ahead of Peter Obi. As a former Vice President, Atiku was the brain behind the economic reforms during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo era that birthed a lot of positives for the country. Peter on the other side, a two-term governor. So, who do you think should deputise one?"

Tinubu's aide meets Peter Obi in Lagos

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bayo Onanuga, one of the presidential spokespersons, met Obi.

Onanuga shared photographs from their meeting via his verified X handle.

Both men met at the 90th birthday celebration of veteran journalist and publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka-Pemu, in Lagos state.

Legit.ng's head of politics and current affairs desk, Nurudeen Lawal, contributed Rev. Dr. Jerry Nwachukwu's reaction to this report.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng