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Obi and Atiku: What If Obi Steps Down For Atiku in 2027
As the 2027 presidential race draws closer, conversations around alliances and sacrifices are getting louder. Two names that stand out in the mix are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra governor Peter Obi. Both men now belong to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform that is pushing to challenge the ruling party.
For now, Obi has made it clear that he is not contesting as anyone’s deputy. He insists he is in the race for the top job and denies having any agreement with Atiku. Still, political watchers have not stopped speculating about a possible deal that could see one of them step down for the other.
If Obi were to step aside for Atiku, a few things could happen. First, the opposition could suddenly look stronger. Atiku commands influence in the north, while Obi carries the backing of young, urban, and southern voters. Together, that combination could shake the ruling party and create real competition.
But the risks are also obvious. Obi’s supporters, popularly called the “Obidients,” might not take it lightly. Many of them see him as a symbol of change, not someone who compromises for political convenience. If he drops out, a section of his base might feel betrayed and even pull back from the polls.
Inside the ADC, such a move could also cause problems. There are already controversies about zoning, fairness, and the need for fresh leadership. An Obi withdrawal in favor of Atiku could cause issues and weaken the unity the coalition is trying to build.
At the same time, critics and rivals would not miss the chance to frame Obi’s decision as a sell-out move. They would question whether he truly stands by the principles he preaches. That could hurt his image, even if the alliance looks good on paper.
Wrapping up, if Obi steps down for Atiku, the opposition may look more united, but it risks losing the energy and loyalty that Obi himself brings to the race. For now, he insists he is not backing out, and there is no concrete agreement suggesting otherwise.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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