Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have dismissed claims that their recent meeting was a precursor to a joint presidential ticket for the 2027 elections.
Their response followed widespread speculation on social media after photos and videos of the two political figures having breakfast together in Adamawa State went viral. Atiku shared the video on his official X account, captioned, “It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty.’”
The footage showed Atiku, Obi, and others seated at a dining table before attending the 20th anniversary and Founder’s Day celebration of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), an institution founded by Atiku.
The breakfast meeting fueled rumors of a potential political alliance, especially after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Spokesman, Ibrahim Abdullahi, recently suggested on a live television program that opposition leaders were considering a merger to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Abdullahi had hinted at ongoing talks among Atiku, Obi, and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso to form a coalition capable of unseating the APC.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, described the Adamawa meeting as a friendly reunion rather than a political strategy session. “The fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day. Atiku invited him to breakfast before the event. It was just a meeting between friends. Politics cannot separate friendships,” Ibe clarified.
He further dismissed the idea of a joint ticket, emphasizing that the gathering was purely in connection with the university’s milestone celebration.
Peter Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, echoed similar sentiments, calling the rumors baseless. “No, there was nothing like that. They invited him to deliver a speech at the AUN event. It has nothing to do with politics,” Umar said.
He criticized the tendency of Nigerians to assign political motives to every interaction among prominent figures, calling it “laughable.”
Despite denials from both camps, speculation about a potential opposition alliance persists. Many recall Abdullahi’s comments suggesting that Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso were exploring ways to set aside their differences to “rescue Nigeria” from its current challenges.
For now, both Atiku and Obi insist their reunion was nothing more than a social interaction tied to an academic event. However, with Nigeria’s 2027 elections approaching, political observers are keeping a close eye on developments among the country’s opposition leaders.