In an interview, Atiku Abubakar left the door open to supporting his former rival Peter Obi for president in 2027, fueling talk of an opposition alliance.
Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sparked speculation about a potential opposition merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, revealing in a recent interview that he may throw his support behind his former political rival, Peter Obi.
In the wide-ranging interview with BBC Hausa Service, Atiku was questioned about a recent meeting he had with Obi, who ran as the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the controversial 2023 elections won by Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
When asked if the meeting with Obi was to discuss a merger or alliance between his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, Atiku responded, "Yes, it's very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it's possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that." The former vice president dismissed concerns that the choice of a joint presidential candidate could derail such an effort, stating confidently, "I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won't arise."
Pressed on whether he would be willing to support Obi as the opposition's standard-bearer in 2027, Atiku said, "If the party decides that it's the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won't hesitate to support him."
Atiku's openness to backing Obi, who hails from the South-East and made a surprisingly strong showing in the 2023 polls, has been interpreted by some as an effort to forge a formidable opposition bloc to challenge the APC's hold on power.
"We are still discussing the issue, and in the right time we would make our position known," Atiku said of the merger talks, declining to provide a timeline.
Political analysts suggest an Atiku endorsement of Obi could be a game-changer, potentially consolidating opposition forces while also appealing to Nigeria's ethnic and regional voting blocs. However, others view it as political posturing ahead of internal PDP jockeying over the 2027 nomination.
Atiku also left the door open to another potential presidential run, stating, "Until that time comes, let's just wait and see how it will turn out."
Reactions to Atiku's comments have been mixed, with some ruling party figures dismissing it as desperation from perpetual opposition figures, while Obi's supporters welcomed signals of growing cross-party collaboration.
