Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly proposed a power-sharing plan to Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
The offer would see Obi run as Atiku’s vice presidential candidate in the 2027 polls, with Atiku pledging to serve only one term before handing over leadership, Punch reports.
The offer was said to have been made during a private meeting earlier this year in the United Kingdom.
According to those involved in the talks, Obi has shown interest in the deal but is still discussing with his key supporters before making his decision public.
If he agrees, this would bring the two politicians back together, as they previously ran on the same ticket in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Due to the current internal troubles facing both the PDP and Labour Party, their camps are reportedly considering contesting under another party.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has emerged as a strong option, especially since the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is believed to have been influenced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Some of their loyalists have already started engaging with the ADC leadership and may switch parties if the crisis in their current parties deepens.
In March, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other politicians came together to form a new opposition front to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Although they announced the alliance publicly, the structure of the coalition has not yet been finalized.
Sources say conversations are still ongoing behind the scenes, with the main figures taking their time to set up a strong front before parties begin announcing their 2027 presidential candidates.
Insiders also confirmed that the UK meeting laid the foundation for the ongoing plan.
Atiku reportedly suggested the idea of running together, and Obi asked for time to consult his team.
Recent updates from those close to the talks suggest that Obi has now agreed to the arrangement, while Atiku is ready to put the one-term promise into a written agreement.
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