The camps of Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, have both dismissed rumors that the two are considering a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
The speculation was fueled after photos of Atiku hosting Obi for a breakfast at his residence in Adamawa State went viral on social media.
Atiku shared a video of the meeting on his official X account, captioned, “It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty.’”
In the video, Atiku and Obi were seen sitting together at a dining table with others, preparing for their meal.
The meeting sparked renewed interest after Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Spokesman of the PDP, had earlier mentioned in a live television interview that the country’s major opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), were considering a merger ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abdullahi had expressed that they were working on a united front to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, both Atiku’s and Obi’s representatives have dismissed the idea of political negotiations surrounding the meeting.
Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, clarified that the breakfast was simply a reunion between two longtime friends.
Ibe emphasized that Obi’s attendance was part of his role as a keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary and 16th Founder’s Day celebration at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which was founded by Atiku.
He explained that the event had no political intentions, as their friendship had always transcended politics.
Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, echoed this sentiment, describing the speculation as unfounded.
He stated that the meeting had no political agenda, asserting that Obi was invited solely to deliver a speech at the university’s celebration and that any assumptions of a political alliance were baseless.
