Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed growing speculation that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is plotting to hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi addressed the issue during an interview with Sunday PUNCH while visiting LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja. He described Atiku as a “dear elder brother and respected leader,” and urged supporters to focus on nation-building rather than political rivalry.
The speculation follows a wave of defections by Atiku’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC coalition, sparking concern within Obi’s support base. Tensions escalated further after Atiku, in a recent BBC Hausa interview, declared he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the party’s primaries.
Adding to the political conversation, former Senator Shehu Sani noted that Atiku would be difficult to defeat in any party’s primary.
But Obi dismissed the fears, stating that the emerging ADC coalition is about unifying well-meaning Nigerians to rescue the country not competing for personal dominance.
“Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I respect deeply,” Obi said.
“I am a member of the Labour Party and part of the coalition with ADC for the 2027 elections. It’s not about hijacking; it’s about coming together to do what’s right for Nigeria.”
Obi also signaled his readiness to contest again in 2027, noting that leadership should be based on competence, not political alignment.
“I’m contesting, and I’m sure I will be. People need to assess who is capable and sincere. I believe I am. I have the capacity, and in four years, I can change Nigeria’s direction for the better.”
He called on Nigerians to shift their focus from political power plays to solving the pressing issues affecting the people.
“We talk too much about party politics while ignoring the poverty around us. It’s time to talk about real solutions and what benefits the average Nigerian.”
Obi and Atiku were both defeated by President Bola Tinubu in the tightly contested 2023 election. Obi, running under the Labour Party with massive youth support, placed third behind Atiku, marking one of Nigeria’s most competitive presidential races in recent history.
