The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied reports that he turned down an offer to serve as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, in the 2027 general elections.
Obi maintained that no such proposal was ever presented to him, stressing that it would therefore be impossible for him to reject an offer he had not received.
The former Anambra State governor made the clarification during an interview on Arise TV, where he addressed questions surrounding a possible alliance involving opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” Obi said.
His statement comes as conversations intensify over the possibility of opposition parties and their presidential candidates forming a united front against the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
According to Obi, any decision on a potential alliance should go beyond discussions involving individual political figures, saying the parties themselves would have to be involved in the negotiations.
“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,” he said.
Obi and Atiku were among opposition figures who took part in the coalition that was established under the ADC in 2025.
The coalition emerged from efforts by opposition politicians to establish a common political platform ahead of the 2027 elections. The arrangement subsequently evolved, with Obi becoming the NDC presidential candidate and Atiku emerging as the ADC’s presidential candidate.
When asked if he would withdraw his presidential ambition in favour of Atiku or accept the position of vice-president should an agreement be reached, Obi said such matters could only be determined as part of a wider agreement involving the political parties.
“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter is talking,” he said.
He likened the possibility of the parties working together to a corporate merger, arguing that such an arrangement would require a structured process rather than a simple agreement between party leaders.
“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.
The NDC presidential candidate further stated that he would be willing to participate in any political arrangement capable of producing a government that addresses Nigeria’s economic and social difficulties.
Obi said his decision to participate in any coalition would be based on priorities including national unity, adherence to the rule of law, accountability, education, healthcare, employment generation and poverty alleviation.
“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 said.
Obi previously served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2019 presidential election.
The pair later went their separate ways ahead of the 2023 presidential election, with Obi contesting under the Labour Party (LP), while Atiku remained the PDP’s presidential candidate.
