2027 Election: 3 Things That Could Happen if Peter Obi Steps Down for Atiku

• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has met with Peter Obi, the ex-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, ahead of the 2027 election
• The meetings have fueled speculation that one of the two leaders might step aside and relinquish presidential ambitions
• Should Obi withdraw in favour of his former principal, Legit.ng examines three key political consequences that could follow

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

FCT, Abuja - Who will step down for the other? That is the central question political analysts are grappling with after the anti-Bola Tinubu coalition threw its weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Legit.ng earlier reported that opposition figures picked the ADC as the platform to confront the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

Two former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members have so far indicated interest in picking the presidential ticket of the coalition. Former Vice President (VP) Atiku Abubakar is a top name among the aspirants.

Former governor Peter Obi is also in the race, as he has said he will spend only one term if given the ticket and elected president in 2027.

Obi’s position aligns with the agitation that the south should remain in power until 2031, when it is expected to shift to the north. President Tinubu, also a southerner like Obi, will finish his first term in 2027 and is warming up to contest for a second term.

Failed Atiku-Peter Obi deal

Legit.ng reports that the ADC had been selected as the special-purpose vehicle for the anti-Tinubu arrangement. Atiku’s fans believed everything was proceeding as planned until Obi’s army of supporters, known as the Obidients, condemned the alleged plan by Atiku to offer the Labour Party (LP) chieftain a vice presidential ticket.

When pressed to respond to the reports, Obi offered an ambiguous statement, saying he was focused solely on building a coalition against hunger and poverty, not on seizing power. Asked directly whether he would be working with Atiku, he replied: “You can make of the report what you want.”

However, The Africa Report quoted an associate of Atiku as saying Obi’s indecisiveness was largely influenced by his supporters.

In the same vein, activist Ndi Kato argued that Obi remains the most credible and popular candidate among all contenders, and it makes no sense for him to step down and be anyone’s running mate.

2027 election permutation

In this report, Legit.ng highlights three things that could happen if Obi steps down for Atiku.

1) Atiku's campaign gets a boost

If Obi steps down and supports Atiku, that could strengthen the former vice president's campaign.

It could potentially affect the political landscape.

2) Political realignment

This move could lead to realignments among supporters of both figures.

It could affect other political parties.

3) Impact on opposition strategies

Both men have prominent government critics on their sides.

Thus, opposition figures might adjust their strategies in response to Obi stepping down for Atiku.

Atiku's camp determined ahead of 2027

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that 'Demola Olarewaju, special assistant, digital media strategy to Atiku, said that should his principal withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and endorse Obi, Tinubu “will sweep the north”.

Olarewaju stated that the recently held by-elections were proof that political leverage is personal and not transferable.

Juxtaposing it with the opposition alliance, Olarewaju explained that he disagrees with the notion that Obi does not need to be on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.

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

Source: Legit.ng