Atiku Camp Shops for Southern Running Mate, Eyes Obi and Amaechi Ahead of 2027

A major political realignment appears to be underway ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as the bloc loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reportedly begun the search for a running mate from the southern part of Nigeria.

According to information obtained by opitanglobamedia news , the group is primarily courting the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, as its preferred option for the vice-presidential slot. Should Obi decline, the camp is said to be considering former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as an alternative.

Both Obi and Amaechi are viewed within the Atiku camp as politically strong southern figures with national name recognition and extensive electoral structures, making them attractive prospects in the evolving opposition strategy to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

A long-time ally of Atiku, publisher and politician Mr Dele Momodu, confirmed ongoing efforts to persuade Obi to work with the former Vice President. He described a potential Atiku–Obi alliance as the “strongest possible” platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential contest.

‘Atiku–Obi Alliance Best Bet to Unseat Tinubu’ — Momodu

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Momodu argued that only a united opposition front led by Atiku and Obi could realistically stand a chance of defeating President Tinubu at the polls. He recalled that both men had previously contested together on a joint Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2019 election, when Atiku was presidential candidate and Obi his running mate, although they lost to then-incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2023, however, the two men ran on separate platforms—Atiku on the PDP platform and Obi under the Labour Party—splitting the opposition vote and ultimately losing to Tinubu. With Atiku now registered as a member of the ADC and Obi still aligned with LP, Momodu maintained that the pair must “close ranks” if they are serious about dislodging the APC from power.

He blamed the reluctance to reunite partly on Obi’s supporters, whom he accused of pushing for a purely southern presidential ticket and resisting any northern–southern power-sharing arrangement in the opposition. According to Momodu, such a stance plays into the hands of Tinubu and the APC.

“There is no way any Southern candidate can defeat Tinubu,” he said, warning that insisting on a strictly southern ticket would fragment the opposition further. He disclosed that he had privately urged Obi, in several meetings in Lagos and Ghana, to embrace what he called a “ready-made union” with Atiku, or risk indirectly aiding Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Momodu further cautioned that time was not on the side of the opposition, noting that Tinubu, as a sitting President, had the advantage of influence over governors and lawmakers. He accused the Presidency of attempting to project an image of invincibility in order to justify any alleged manipulation in future elections, while reminding observers that despite the events of 2023, the ruling party still lost Lagos to Obi and Osun State to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Amaechi Emerges as Plan B, As Pressure Mounts on Obi

Warning that delays could prove costly, Momodu revealed that if Obi fails to commit to an alliance with Atiku, the former Vice President’s bloc may turn fully to Rotimi Amaechi as their preferred running mate. He insisted that many Nigerians underestimate Amaechi’s political weight and role in the 2015 transition of power.

“A lot of people are underrating Amaechi,” Momodu stated, claiming that the former Rivers State governor “single-handedly handed power to Buhari.” He likened Amaechi’s mobilisation for Buhari to the current political activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, arguing that Amaechi was even more pivotal than Tinubu in rallying support for Buhari during the 2015 race.

Momodu suggested that if Obi chooses to “run alone” in 2027 or remains indecisive, “the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi” as Atiku’s running mate. He stressed that the opposition could not afford further fragmentation at a time when the ruling party was consolidating power at the federal and state levels.

On efforts to reconcile the key opposition figures, Momodu said discussions were ongoing and that Atiku and Obi still maintain frequent communication. However, he expressed concern that the collapse of structures within both the PDP and LP had created uncertainty around Obi’s future political platform, asking rhetorically, “PDP is crumbling, LP has crumbled. Where does he want to go?”

Obidient Movement: Obi Ready for 2027, But Terms Must Be Clear

Reacting to the emerging alliance talks, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and spokesman for Peter Obi, Mr Yunusa Tanko, reaffirmed Obi’s readiness to contest the 2027 presidential election. Speaking to Sunday opitanglobamedia, Tanko said Obi remained committed to offering what he described as competent, mobile, and issues-driven leadership.

Tanko, however, called for clarity from Atiku’s camp on the specific terms under which they expected Obi to team up with them. He hinted that a joint ticket headed by Atiku might not align with the strategic direction of the Obidient Movement, insisting that a strong southern candidate remained the best route to defeating Tinubu.

“It all depends on what terms they want Obi to team up with them,” Tanko said. “At the moment, we are looking for a leader who has the capacity to move around the country to deal with the issues.” He stressed that Nigerians needed a president who understood the depth of the country’s challenges and could “fix things” through inclusive and accountable governance.

Tanko argued that the presidency was already in the South and that Obi should be supported to complete what he described as “the four years of the South,” suggesting that Obi’s potential presidency would last a single term. He reiterated that Obi was prepared to serve only one term if elected president, focusing on stabilising the country and setting it on the path of reform.

ADC Ticket Attracts Amaechi as Opposition Space Widens

In a related development, one of Amaechi’s principal aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the former governor remains interested in seeking the presidential ticket of the ADC. This development further complicates the opposition space, as Amaechi’s possible entry into ADC could reshape the dynamics of negotiations around Atiku’s eventual running mate.

Amaechi’s interest in the ADC ticket indicates that he is not content to remain on the sidelines of national politics. Analysts believe that his involvement could either strengthen Atiku’s bloc, if a joint ticket is eventually agreed, or introduce an additional layer of competition within the opposition if he chooses to run independently.

With Atiku now in ADC, Obi still rooted in the Labour Party, and Amaechi reportedly eyeing the same ADC platform, the opposition political space is witnessing intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring. While no formal alliance has been announced, all sides appear to be weighing options, balancing regional interests, party structures, and personal ambitions in the build-up to 2027.

For now, one thing seems clear: the contest to unseat President Bola Tinubu has already begun, long before official campaigns are expected to start. Whether through a grand alliance or fragmented bids, the decisions taken in the coming months by Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi could determine the shape of Nigeria’s next presidential race.