Peter Obi: Why I won’t step down for Atiku in 2027

Peter Obi, who is running for president under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated his reasons for declining to make way for the ADC presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, before the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the choice of the presidential candidate that will come out from any opposition alliance at this time should rest squarely on the shoulders of the political parties and not the politicians themselves.

The former Anambra State governor made the clarification during an interview with Arise Television aired on Thursday, where he discussed political developments and other national issues.

According to Obi, the current stage of political discussions does not make it appropriate for either of the politicians to unilaterally decide who should withdraw from the presidential race.

His position comes amid ongoing talks among opposition political parties and political leaders seeking to present a stronger challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Asked if he would be willing to step down for Atiku, Obi said: “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.

“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. It’s not me saying I don’t want to be this or that; no, we have passed that stage.”

In 2023, Obi ran with Atiku for the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but they eventually lost.

In preparation for the 2027 presidential election, the former Anambra State governor was reportedly urged to team up with Atiku for the presidency again.

However, Obi was said to have rejected the offer to run with Atiku for the presidency.

Obi had said: “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.”

Reaffirming his stance, the NDC presidential candidate maintained that he has never been in any party where he was offered the opportunity to be Atiku’s running mate and refused it.

He said: “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.”