Peter Obi Denies Avoiding Atiku Ahead of 2027 Election
Former Anambra State governor and presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed suggestions that he is steering clear of former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar as the 2027 election approaches.
Obi stressed that Atiku remains one of the people closest to him, both politically and personally. He said there is no reason to run away from a leader he holds in high regard.
“There are very few human beings who are as close to me as Atiku. So I can’t be running from him. This man is my very respected leader and elder brother,” Obi declared. He added, “I don’t run from him. Never. It has nothing to do with running from anybody. I’ve never run from anybody. I just believe that I do things differently.”
Earlier, Obi and Atiku had adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. Obi formally joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, with Atiku welcoming the move and describing it as a landmark moment in Nigerian political coalition‑building.
The alliance, however, later collapsed. On his way out of the ADC, Obi said his decision was not based on personal issues with Atiku or the party chairman, David Mark.
Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso subsequently defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they called for an end to litigation‑driven politics.
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