Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly supporting the presidential ambition of Labour Party (LP) 2023 candidate Peter Obi, amid growing discussions around a potential joint ticket with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources say the push for an Obi–Kwankwaso alliance spans party lines, involving senior opposition politicians, power brokers, and retired military officers.
The idea, inspired by the 2023 election results in which both candidates had largely regional performances, is seen as a strategy to build a credible opposition capable of challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, confirmed the former president’s continued support for Obi but denied knowledge of any directive to ADC leaders regarding a joint ticket.
“I can confirm his support for Obi’s presidential ambition,” Akinyemi said, adding that he was unaware of any formal discussions with the ADC on the pairing.
Within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the idea remains informal.
A senior party member told Daily Trust that while the Obi–Kwankwaso ticket is being debated in opposition circles, it has not been officially adopted as party policy.
“Many leaders believe that if Obi had run with Kwankwaso in 2023, they might have won. It’s being discussed, but it’s not a formal agenda within the ADC,” the source explained.
The source further noted that the ADC’s rising profile has attracted interest from various opposition factions, including segments of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“For Obi’s supporters to insist on ‘Obi or nothing,’ there must be behind-the-scenes assurances,” the insider said.
The source added that the party is keen to secure a consensus direction to avoid fragmentation post-primaries, positioning the ADC as a potential rallying point for opposition unity.
With strategic discussions ongoing and the influence of prominent Nigerians, many believe a joint Obi–Kwankwaso ticket could present a strong alternative to the APC, especially as Atiku Abubakar may continue to face internal challenges within the PDP.
