The question of who should fly the opposition flag in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election has continued to generate debate, but Peter Obi says the decision is no longer as simple as one candidate choosing to step aside for another.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) explained that any possible arrangement between himself and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar would have to involve the political parties behind them.
Obi made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday while discussing the possibility of opposition parties working together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor was asked whether he would consider withdrawing his presidential ambition in favour of Atiku, a question that has featured prominently in discussions about efforts to build a stronger opposition platform.
But Obi said the political reality had moved beyond the personal ambitions of the two men.
“Do you know where we are now? Where we are now is that I’m a candidate, my leader Atiku is a candidate of another party, so you are talking about two parties coming together; it’s no longer me or him as you are now talking about parties coming together,” he said.
‘We have passed that stage’
Obi explained that because both men are already candidates of separate political parties, any decision to merge or form an electoral arrangement would require broader consultations.
He compared the situation to two corporate organisations negotiating a merger, arguing that such a process could not simply be determined by the individuals heading the organisations.
“All those parties have candidates, so it’s no longer me as Peter talking. It’s like a situation where you have two corporations coming together; it’s no longer two CEOs going for a drink and saying we are going to work together,” Obi said.
“It’s not me saying I don’t want to be this or that; no, we have passed that stage.”
His comments underline the growing complexity surrounding attempts to forge a united opposition ahead of 2027, particularly as several political figures explore possible alliances.
Obi and Atiku’s political history
The two politicians are not new to the same presidential battlefield.
Obi and Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before Obi subsequently left the party and emerged as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
Ahead of the 2027 election, their political paths have once again become a subject of intense discussion as opposition figures consider different strategies for challenging the ruling establishment.
Suggestions that Obi could work with Atiku have therefore continued to attract attention, particularly amid wider calls for opposition unity.
Obi denies rejecting Atiku’s alleged offer
Obi also addressed reports that he had previously been offered the position of Atiku’s running mate and turned it down.
According to him, that account does not accurately reflect what happened.
“My statement was unequivocal, and I am genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of my words. For the avoidance of doubt, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone and it’s unequivocal,” he had earlier said.
During the Arise Television interview, he further questioned where such an offer was supposedly made.
“Who said so? Where? I wasn’t even in any party where that offer was on the table. I wasn’t even in a position where it was being offered and I refused,” Obi said.
Opposition alliance remains a major 2027 question
With the 2027 presidential contest drawing closer, the question of whether opposition politicians can unite behind a single candidate remains one of the major issues shaping Nigeria’s political conversation.
You May Like: PFIPC Case: Why Court Returned Adeniyi Adeyemi’s File for Reassignment
For Obi, however, any such arrangement cannot be reduced to a private agreement between two presidential hopefuls.
With the NDC and ADC operating as separate political platforms and both already having presidential candidates, he believes the parties themselves must be part of any serious discussion about collaboration.
That leaves the door open to political negotiations, but Obi’s latest comments suggest that any decision over who ultimately flies a joint opposition ticket would require considerably more than one candidate simply withdrawing from the race.