Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied rejecting an offer to become Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Obi spoke on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during an interview on Arise TV amid renewed efforts by opposition parties to forge an alliance ahead of the poll.
He said any alliance must be negotiated by the parties involved, not individual candidates, noting that he and Atiku are now presidential candidates of different parties.
Obi likened the process to a corporate merger, saying the heads of two organizations could not determine such an arrangement without the involvement of the institutions they represent.
Asked whether he would step down for Atiku or accept the vice-presidential slot under a possible alliance, Obi dismissed reports that he had previously rejected such an offer.
“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.
READ ALSO: Aisha Yesufu Says Peter Obi Is Nigeria’s Most Courageous Politician
Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The pair contested separately in 2023, with Atiku running for the PDP and Obi for the Labour Party (LP).
They later joined other opposition figures in coalition efforts in 2025. The arrangement subsequently changed, with Obi emerging as the NDC presidential candidate and Atiku securing the ADC ticket for 2027.
The opposition’s latest unity drive gained momentum on September 1, 2026, when six parties began discussions in Abuja on possible cooperation and a common presidential candidate.
Nigeria has previously seen opposition consolidation produce an electoral breakthrough. In 2013, the Congress for Progressive Change, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Nigeria Peoples Party, alongside a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, formed the All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated the PDP in 2015 after 16 years in power.
Obi said he remained open to an alliance focused on national unity, the rule of law, accountable leadership, education, healthcare, productivity and job creation.
“I want to be part of any coalition that will make Nigeria work,” he said.
With opposition parties yet to agree on a common candidate, negotiations over a unified platform remain a key feature of the 2027 political realignment.