The former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) are reportedly in talks to form a new political party ahead of the 2027 elections. Sources indicate that the two leaders recently met to discuss establishing a fresh political platform that could challenge the existing power structures.
Their next meeting is scheduled for November 30 in Yola, Adamawa State, where Obi is expected to be the keynote speaker at a ceremony celebrating Atiku’s 78th birthday. This event, hosted at the American University of Nigeria, which Atiku owns, is seen as a demonstration of their growing camaraderie and shared political vision.
According to reports from The Sun and The Africa Report, a spokesperson for Atiku and Obi confirmed that discussions regarding a potential merger are underway, though specific details remain undisclosed. This potential alliance is perceived as a strategic response to internal challenges plaguing their respective parties since their defeat to President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
The PDP has been mired in a prolonged crisis, exacerbated by the influence of its current national chairman, Umar Damagum, who is closely aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike, a vocal critic of Atiku, had supported Tinubu in the last election, further complicating intra-party dynamics. Similarly, the Labour Party has faced its own internal strife, with a deteriorating relationship between Obi and the party’s chairman, Julius Abure.
As discussions progress, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is reportedly involved, adding another dimension to this potential political realignment. With preparations for the next election set to begin in just over a year, the formation of a new political party could significantly impact Nigeria’s political scene, offering a new opposition force to the ruling APC. Observers are closely monitoring these developments, which could lead to transformative changes in the country’s political arena.