Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, paid a courtesy visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja on Monday, May 13. Atiku described Obi’s visit as “an honour and privilege” in a tweet via his X handle.
Although Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, did not disclose the reason for Obi’s visit, some Nigerians on social media are of the opinion that it may not be unconnected with the 2027 elections. Obi was Atiku’s running mate during the 2019 presidential election. The former Anambra State governor then decamped to the Labour Party few months to the 2023 primary election of the PDP.
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, has clarified that Atiku did not play a role in Obi’s departure from the party. Ibe revealed that FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s promotion of his zone for the presidency in the south influenced Obi’s decision to resign from the PDP. “Wike has charted different paths to serve his interest because I don’t understand what interest, is it the PDP interest? It cannot be. It is his interest all well and good for him,” Ibe said.
The visit has sparked speculations that Obi and Atiku may be planning to run together on a joint presidential ticket in the future. While neither of them has confirmed this, the visit has generated significant interest among their supporters.
