A close ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, media mogul Dele Momodu, has dismissed speculation that Atiku might step aside in the 2027 presidential race in favour of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online on Thursday, Momodu described the idea as “unsubstantiated malice and prejudice” and reaffirmed Atiku’s commitment to contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “Several people have asked me to advise Atiku to withdraw because he is ‘too old.’ Not that he is less healthy than President Bola Tinubu. Atiku has no reason to abandon the race,” Momodu said.
Atiku, who ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, formally joined the ADC in November 2025, shortly after resigning from the PDP. Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election with over six million votes, also defected from the Labour Party to the ADC last week, signalling a major opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 polls.
Political observers see Obi’s move as an attempt to consolidate opposition forces to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid. However, Momodu stressed that Atiku’s experience, business acumen, and political credentials make him a strong contender who should not “play second fiddle” to anyone.
The speculation of Atiku stepping aside was fuelled by rumours of a potential understanding in which Obi would serve a single four-year term before handing over to Atiku in 2031. Momodu dismissed this narrative, calling it a “monumental tragedy” to suggest that Nigeria’s most experienced aspirant should sacrifice his ambition for emotion or sentiment.
Despite public denials, former lawmaker and activist Senator Shehu Sani hinted that politicians’ statements about withdrawing or taking deputy positions are not always final, suggesting that behind-the-scenes negotiations could still occur.
Reports indicate that both Atiku and Obi have been engaging opposition leaders, elder statesmen, and civil society actors since 2023 to forge a united front against the APC. Their defections to the ADC are widely viewed as a move towards building a broad-based coalition platform.
With both men commanding significant followings, along with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the race for the ADC’s sole presidential ticket is expected to be fiercely contested later this year, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle ahead of the 2027 general election.
