Obi offered vice president slot as Atiku agrees to one-term deal for 2027

According to The PUNCH, sources from both camps confirmed that the offer was made during a private meeting earlier this year in the United Kingdom.

The sources who are familiar with the negotiations, said Atiku has committed to serving only a single four-year term if elected in 2027 and is prepared to hand over to Obi afterwards. While Obi has reportedly accepted the offer in principle, he is still consulting with key allies before making a public declaration.

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“The UK meeting was critical. That was where Atiku first presented the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to join him again as his running mate. Obi requested time to consult his loyalists. Recent developments indicate he has now agreed in principle,” one of the sources said.

In the 2019 presidential election, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party, where they lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others in Abuja announced the formation of a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The announcement sparked widespread debate about the prospects of opposition unity, with political stakeholders expressing varied opinions.

One political insider said consultations are still ongoing.

“You know that by this time next year, by May 2026, almost all parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections. So, the coalition move is mindful of that.

“The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu. So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.”

The source added that the UK meeting was key to the plan.

“Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK. That was where Atiku first mooted the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.

“But recent developments show that Obi has accepted to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also agreed to serve a single four-year term and hand over to the former Anambra State governor. They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary.”

Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, confirmed coalition talks but declined to speak on any specific agreement.

“I know that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been talking about the coalition. I cannot speak on the specific agreement they have reached.

“All I can tell you is that both of them are focused on ensuring that they build a viable coalition that will be robust enough to accommodate diverse Nigerians to unseat the clueless APC government in 2027.”

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