Peter Obi Can’t Be VP, Atiku Has Inordinate Ambition – Stakeholders On Merger Talks
As Nigeria’s political landscape heads towards the 2027 presidential elections, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is being watched with alarm over his alliance with his Labour Party (LP) counterpart Peter Obi and the opposition.
Political insiders said despite the leadership crisis within the PDP, LP and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Atiku will not be able to form a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Since the 2023 presidential elections, the PDP has been grappling with a leadership crisis with factional tussle over the post of party leader and the same scenario is unfolding in the Labour Party.
DAILY POST reported that an internal crisis within the NNPP has led to the suspension of the Permanent Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Buffa Bichi and the Secretary of State for Transportation, Muhammed Digol.
Party chairman Hashim Sulaiman Dungrawa said the suspension was due to alleged contempt for the party, abuse of power and office and disloyalty to the party.
In July, disgruntled party members also disowned Kwankwaso, claiming he was a threat to the party.
In January, political scientist Pat Utomi announced that he had consulted with Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the LP, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP on the possibility of forming a new political party.
Recently, Utomi confirmed that Atiku, Kwankwaso, and Obi have agreed to form a party to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Felix Moruka, national spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissed Utomi’s revelations, describing them as “sheer delusion”.
The Morca said: “As a serial promoter of mega parties that never materialised, we cannot take the statements of Professor Pat Utomi too seriously.
“The Kwankwaso coalition is in talks with other political stakeholders about a possible merger.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Atiku, Mr Paul Ibe, told DAILY POST that opposition leaders were in discussions, adding: “We are aware of the media clamour.