The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he refused to work with the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi said he had never been in a political party where he was offered the opportunity to become Atiku’s running mate and declined it.
In September 2024, Obi had said: “When 2027 arrives, if I decide to run for any office, it will not be with those whose sole aim is state capture or merely winning an election.
“I want them to explain how we will ensure that no child is left behind and how we will bring millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms, ensure healthy living and pull people out of poverty.
“My statement was unequivocal, and I am genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of my words. For the avoidance of doubt, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone and it’s unequivocal.”
However, in an interview with Arise Television aired on Thursday, Obi was asked to clarify reports that he had refused to run with Atiku.
He said: “Who said so? Where? I wasn’t even in any party where that offer was on the table. I wasn’t even in a position where it was being offered and I refused.”
On whether he would step down for Atiku, Obi said: “Do you know where we are now? Where we are now is that I’m a candidate, my leader Atiku is a candidate of another party, so you are talking about two parties coming together. It’s no longer me or him, as you are now talking about parties coming together.
“All those parties have candidates, so it’s no longer me as Peter talking. It’s like a situation where you have two corporations coming together. It’s no longer two CEOs going for a drink and saying, ‘We are going to work together.’ It’s not me saying I don’t want to be this or that. No, we have passed that stage.”
2027 presidency: I was never asked to be Atiku’s VP – Peter Obi