Social Media Speculation Dismissed as ‘Baseless Assumptions’ by Both Camps
The camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have dismissed claims of discussions for a potential joint ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speculation about a possible political alliance surged after photos and videos of the two politicians having breakfast at Atiku’s residence in Adamawa State went viral over the weekend. Atiku posted a video of the gathering on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, captioning it:
“It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty.’”
The clip showed the duo, alongside other guests, seated at a dining table, sparking widespread interpretations of a political collaboration.
No Political Undertones
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, clarified that the meeting was purely social, highlighting that Obi was in Adamawa to deliver a keynote address at the 20th anniversary and 16th Founder’s Day of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), a university founded by Atiku.
“Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the AUN anniversary, which was a milestone event. Atiku, being his host, invited him to breakfast before the program. This has nothing to do with politics. People should stop jumping to conclusions,” Ibe explained.
Similarly, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, dismissed suggestions of a political alliance, describing the speculation as a “laughable misinterpretation.”
“There was no discussion about a joint ticket. Obi was simply invited to deliver a speech. People tend to read political meaning into everything involving prominent figures, but this was not about politics,” Umar said.
Background on Speculation
The speculation of a possible merger gained traction months ago when the Deputy National Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, suggested that Atiku, Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) could join forces ahead of the 2027 elections. Abdullahi hinted at the possibility during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he noted that the opposition needed to form a coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This backdrop fueled rumors about the Adamawa breakfast meeting being the first step toward a broader political strategy.
Reunion of Friends
Atiku’s camp emphasized that the meeting reflected the personal friendship between the two leaders rather than any political alliance.
“Politics cannot separate friends,” Ibe remarked. “The breakfast and subsequent attendance at the AUN event were part of a celebration, not a political strategy.”
Public Reactions
While some Nigerians welcomed the possibility of a joint ticket as a strategic move to unify the opposition, others dismissed it as unnecessary speculation. Social media platforms were rife with debates, with supporters of both leaders weighing in on the implications of such a collaboration.
Both camps have firmly denied any political undertones to the breakfast meeting, emphasizing that the event was a personal and academic engagement. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 election cycle, such gatherings among political heavyweights are likely to continue sparking interest and conjecture. However, for now, Atiku and Obi’s meeting remains, in their words, a reunion of friends rather than the launch of a political alliance.
Comments are closed.