Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has debunked media reports that he has asked Peter Obi to be on a joint ticket with him as vice presidential candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who spoke to The Guardian in a telephone interview on Monday through his special media adviser on media, Paul Ibe, confirmed, however, that they remained committed to forming a political coalition.
In the 2019 presidential election, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the PDP, where they lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Four years later, Atiku and Obi ran for the presidency separately – on the PDP and Labour Party, respectively – and lost to current President Bola Tinubu.
Both politicians have since had several engagements on a possible coalition to oust the current government in 2027.
Ibe, on Monday, reaffirmed their resolve to “install a people-oriented government” to replace the Tinubu administration in 2027.
“There are certain things you can’t just speculate about — especially something this historical, you understand?” he asked.
“Everyone is speculating. Depending on who they are, you know, but a thing like this isn’t something you throw around carelessly.”
On the move to form a political coalition, he disclosed that Atiku and other prominent opposition figures are working tirelessly to work together to form a government that would be useful to the people.
“What I can officially confirm to you is that they’re working seriously with all the opposition leaders to build a very viable coalition platform,” he said.
“Some of the details are still under wraps — not yet public. But the process is ongoing, and change is going to happen sooner rather than later.
“When the coalition finally comes together and takes off, you can be sure people will get on board at multiple stations along the way — along the track.”
Asked to comment on whether the coalition would work in the face of opposition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ forum, Ibe said only Nigerians would decide.
“Well, listen, PDP governors are respected stakeholders. But Nigerians know what direction they want. That much is clear,” he said.
“Power truly belongs to the people, and the people are powering this coalition process. What does that tell you?”