Peter Obi Clarifies Stance on Atiku Ahead of 2027 Elections

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and a presidential aspirant, addressed suggestions that he is avoiding Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential elections. Obi made these remarks on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue at the 2026 Pan African Governance Forum.

He emphasized that he respects Atiku, referring to him as a leader and elder brother, and stated, "I don’t run from anybody." Obi's comments come in the context of a politically bruised relationship between the two, following their joint adoption of the African Democratic Congress coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Obi formally joined the African Democratic Congress on January 1, 2026.

Atiku welcomed this development, describing it as a landmark moment in Nigerian politics for coalition building. However, Obi clarified that his decision to leave was not due to personal issues with Atiku, but rather due to unresolved internal conflicts within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which have led to legal disputes distracting the party from national issues.