morganable politics/elections
Obi emphasised that both he and Atiku are now standard-bearers of separate political platforms, making the question of one individual stepping aside less relevant than negotiations between their respective parties
KaNo —
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has ruled out the possibility of stepping down for the candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi insisted that any decision on a potential opposition alliance must be handled at the party level rather than by individual aspirants.
Obi made this known during an interview on Arise Television aired on Thursday, where he addressed a wide range of national issues including the 2027 election, opposition coalition talks, economic policy, security, and national unity.
Responding to questions about whether he would step down his candidacy in favour of Atiku as part of a broader opposition strategy to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, Obi said the situation had moved beyond personal considerations.
“Do you know where we are now?” he asked. “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 me.”
Obi Says Negotiations Must Be At Party Level
He emphasised that both he and Atiku are now standard-bearers of separate political platforms, making the question of one individual stepping aside less relevant than negotiations between their respective parties.
“All those parties have candidates. So it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter, talking,” Obi added.
“It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something where the two CEOs go for a drink and say, ‘We are going to work together’. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together.”he added.
In 2025, Obi, Atiku, and other political figures participated in coalition talks that adopted the ADC as a common platform, raising expectations of a joint ticket.
However, the coalition ultimately failed to produce a single presidential candidate.
Obi later emerged as the candidate of the NDC, while Atiku secured the ADC ticket, effectively placing the former allies in separate contests for the presidency.
The development has since fuelled speculation that one of the two politicians might step down to allow for a unified opposition candidacy.
Political analysts say Obi’s stance reflects the complexities of coalition-building in Nigeria’s multi-party system, where party structures, interests, and internal dynamics often outweigh individual ambitions.
Obi Denies Rejecting Atiku’s VP Slot
During the interview, Obi also dismissed claims that he had previously rejected an offer to serve as Atiku’s running mate, describing such reports as unfounded.
“I don’t know where that was said,” he stated. “I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused.”
Obi and Atiku have a history of political collaboration, having run on the same ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 presidential election, with Atiku as the presidential candidate and Obi as his running mate.
Their alliance ended ahead of the 2023 elections when Obi left the PDP to contest under the Labour Party, while Atiku remained the party’s presidential candidate.
The 2027 election will mark another contest in which both men are seeking the presidency independently, albeit from different opposition platforms.
Obi Reveals Plan To Sustain Naira Floating
When asked to identify a policy of President Tinubu’s government that he would retain if elected, Obi pointed to the floating of the naira, introduced in June 2023 as part of broader foreign exchange reforms.
“There’s one, the floating of the Naira,” he said. “I’m not going to defend it. But I’m going to put productivity to make it more valuable to the people.”
The naira float, which unified Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates and allowed market forces to determine the currency’s value, has been widely debated due to its impact on inflation, import costs, and the overall cost of living.
While critics have blamed the policy for worsening economic hardship, Obi’s position indicates that he would maintain the framework but focus on strengthening the underlying economy.
According to him, improving productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and exports would provide a more sustainable basis for currency stability than attempts to artificially support the naira.
He reiterated his long-standing argument that Nigeria must transition from a consumption-driven economy to one anchored on production and value creation.
“A stronger productive base will support the currency better,” he said, noting that economic growth and increased output are essential for long-term stability.
Economic issues are expected to dominate the 2027 campaign season, as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power.
“Our election should not be driven by tribalism,” he said.
The warning comes amid ongoing debates about zoning, regional balance, and the distribution of political power ahead of the next election cycle.
Obi also sought to reassure northern voters, stating that his presidential ambition is inclusive and not targeted against any region.
Observers say such messaging may be aimed at broadening his support base across Nigeria’s diverse regions, particularly in the North, which remains a critical voting bloc.
As political realignments continue in the run-up to 2027, Obi’s comments signal a cautious but open stance on opposition cooperation,one that prioritises structured party negotiations over individual decisions.
