Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai And Others In Talks For 2027 Coalition – Ex-VP’s Spokesman

Paul Ibe, the spokesman of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has revealed that his principal is currently in talks with other key political figures, including Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on “Politics Today”, a programme aired on Channels Television, Ibe confirmed there have been ongoing discussions among opposition leaders, aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

He said, “Well, you and I know that there have been ongoing discussions between Atiku Abubakar and some opposition leaders: Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai.

“Yes, it’s out there in the open. Discussion is still ongoing, and at the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position and the direction that we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”

Back in 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together as presidential and vice-presidential candidates under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although they lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

There have been increasing speculations that the pair might reunite for the 2027 elections.

When asked directly if Atiku and Obi could share the same ticket again, Paul Ibe responded by saying that their 2019 ticket was strong and remains a viable option today.

However, he stressed that any decision would be left to the two politicians, and it’s too early to draw conclusions.

“What I’m saying, in effect, is that that ticket was viable in 2019, and it’s still viable today. But it is left to the individuals to be able to come to a determination as to how they proceed. So, let us not go ahead of them. They are talking,” Ibe said.

The growing talk of a coalition comes at a time when the PDP and other opposition parties are battling internal challenges, leading many to push for a united front to increase their chances in 2027.

El-Rufai, who left the APC earlier this year after serving two terms as governor of Kaduna, has since aligned himself with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is being mentioned as a possible platform for the emerging coalition.

Peter Obi, who ran as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, has been more cautious.

While not dismissing coalition talks entirely, Peter Obi stated that his main focus is on addressing issues like poverty, hunger and corruption, rather than political alliances alone.