Pressure is building on Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his 2027 presidential bid, as growing momentum behind a joint ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso reshapes the race within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Inside the party, opinions are splitting. Atiku’s allies led by Dele Momodu are pushing for a partnership between Atiku and Obi.
But a growing bloc of party members is rallying behind an Obi–Kwankwaso combination, arguing it offers a fresher and more competitive edge.
There’s no consensus yet on what gives the opposition its best shot. Some believe Obi is indispensable if the ADC hopes to win.
Others insist Atiku’s experience and long-standing influence in the North still make him the strongest contender.
Behind the scenes, former president Olusegun Obasanjo is said to favour the Obi–Kwankwaso option, while also pushing for a united opposition front against Bola Tinubu.
For many insiders, the renewed push for a joint ticket is also about avoiding a repeat of the divided opposition that weakened chances in 2023.
Calls for Atiku to Step Aside
Within the ADC, voices calling for generational change are getting louder. Party stakeholders across regions are quietly and sometimes publicly urging Atiku to step aside.
Senator Victor Umeh recently made the case on national television, noting that Atiku has been in the presidential race for over two decades and should now allow younger contenders to step forward.
Media commentator Jimi Disu struck a similar tone, warning that an Atiku candidacy could hand an advantage to Tinubu. In his view, stepping down could cement Atiku’s legacy rather than diminish it.
For his part, Atiku isn’t backing down. He maintains that none of the current contenders can match his electoral reach, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He has also dismissed the idea that Kwankwaso still commands Kano politically, pointing to shifting loyalties in the state.
Still, Atiku has left the door open at least publicly. He says he will support whoever emerges through a credible process, including Obi if it comes to that.
Obi–Kwankwaso Alliance Gains Traction
Meanwhile, supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso are closing ranks under the banner of the “OK Movement,” working to secure the ADC ticket for their preferred pairing.
A spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya movement said discussions are ongoing and confirmed that Kwankwaso is open to playing a supporting role if it strengthens the coalition’s chances.
The alliance is also positioning itself as a counterweight to money-driven primaries, insisting it will resist any process seen as lacking credibility.
At the same time, the group is appealing to Atiku to act as a unifying figure rather than a competitor, framing him as a political elder whose support could be decisive.
The scramble for the ticket is exposing clear fault lines within the party.
Pro-Atiku and pro-Obi/Kwankwaso camps have clashed online, with some Atiku supporters warning of protests if he steps aside comments that have drawn sharp pushback from rival groups.
Others have questioned Obi’s acceptability in parts of the North, while his supporters insist the ADC cannot win without him.
Amid the rising tension, party figures like Austin Okai are urging restraint, warning that the escalating rhetoric could damage the opposition’s chances before the race even begins.
For now, the ADC’s biggest challenge isn’t the ruling party it’s finding a way to agree on who should lead the charge.
