Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says he did not reject an offer to serve as running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, in the 2027 election.
Obi spoke during an interview with Arise News, while responding to questions on a possible alliance between opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
In 2025, Obi, Atiku and other opposition leaders formed a coalition under the ADC. Months later, however, Obi defected to the NDC, where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, while Atiku remained the ADC standard-bearer.
Asked whether he would step down for Atiku or accept the vice-presidential slot if an alliance was reached, Obi said the discussion had moved beyond individual candidates.
“I’m a candidate, yes. So, my leader, Atiku, is a candidate of another party. I am a candidate for another party. So, you are talking about two parties coming together; it is no longer him or me,” Obi said.
He said any potential alliance should involve the political parties rather than being reduced to negotiations between individual politicians.
“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter is talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something the two CEOs go to a drink and say we are going to work together. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together,” he said.
When told he had previously said he would not accept the vice-presidential position from any candidate, Obi denied rejecting such an offer.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.
Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election. However, they contested the 2023 election on different party platforms, with Obi running on the Labour Party platform and Atiku on the Peoples Democratic Party platform.
Obi said he would support any alliance that prioritises national unity, the rule of law, accountable leadership, education, healthcare and job creation.
“I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work. That will make Nigeria productive. That will create jobs for the young ones. That will pull people out of poverty. That will make education work,” he added.