The Obidient Movement has denied rumours that its leader, Peter Obi, a past presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has received an offer to serve as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in a 2027 political coalition.
Atiku reportedly offered Peter Obi the role of running partner in the 2027 election, which prompted the reply. According to reports, Atiku assured Obi that he would only hold office for one term, enabling Obi to run for office in 2031.
The Obidient Movement, however, characterised the allegation as wholly untrue and speculative in a statement issued on Monday and signed by Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communication and Media.
The statement reads, “The Obidient Movement has been inundated with calls from our members within and outside the country, including other members of the public, regarding a media publication claiming that our principal, Peter Obi, has been offered a running mate position to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the new coalition being formed ahead of 2027.”
“Even though the publication is imaginary to the author, we find it appropriate to react in view of possible far-reaching misconceptions in the public space.”
The statement emphasised that while conversations around political alliances are ongoing, the objective is centred on governance reforms and national development, not on political ambition or office-seeking.
“While frank and cordial engagements with our partners and stakeholders towards a coalition continue amicably, the Obidient Movement would like to state emphatically that there is no truth or basis to the reports whatsoever.”
“Without any risk of contradiction, we would like to reiterate that Mr Obi has maintained that his objective and his involvement in a coalition are to provide a united front against, and to tackle, issues of bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out-of-school children, and the myriad of other problems daily afflicting the people of Nigeria.”
Kazaure reaffirmed that Peter Obi remains a member of the Labour Party and would make any change to that status public himself, should it ever occur.
“At this point in time, Mr Peter Obi remains in the Labour Party, and if ever this changes, he will make that announcement himself.”
Calling for restraint and responsibility in political reporting, the Obidient Movement urged the media and the public to focus on national progress rather than sensationalism.
