A former presidential candidate and close political ally of ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Dele Momodu, on Thursday ruled out any possibility of Atiku withdrawing from the 2027 presidential race in favour of former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, formally joined the African Democratic Congress in November 2025, months after resigning from the PDP.
The move was widely interpreted as a strategic step to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Last week, Obi, who garnered over six million votes to finish third in the 2023 presidential election behind Atiku and eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu, also defected from the Labour Party to the ADC.
Political observers see Obi’s move as part of a broader opposition realignment aimed at mounting a formidable challenge against Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Although stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, were quick to mock Obi’s defection—suggesting he could end up as Atiku’s running mate—key Obi supporters have rejected such an arrangement.
Prominent figures such as political economist Prof. Pat Utomi and activist Aisha Yesufu have warned they would withdraw their support if Obi accepted a vice-presidential slot on a ticket led by Atiku.
