BREAKING: Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Stepping Down for Atiku

• Peter Obi says any alliance with Atiku Abubakar must be negotiated by their political parties, while outlining his positions on the naira, national unity and presidential vacations.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has said any possible alliance with African Democratic Congress candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 election must be negotiated by their political parties rather than settled between them personally.

Speaking during an interview aired on Arise Television on Thursday, the former Anambra State governor said their emergence as candidates of separate parties had changed the nature of discussions about a united opposition ticket.

Asked 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 me, as you are now talking about parties coming together.

“All those parties have candidates. So, it is a discussion. It is no longer me, as Peter, talking. It is like a situation where two corporations are trying to come together. It is no longer something where the two CEOs go for a drink and say, ‘We are going to work together’. They need to look at how to bring these two corporations together.”

His remarks leave room for negotiations between the parties while challenging the suggestion that an alliance depends solely on his willingness to surrender his ticket to Atiku.

The comments come amid efforts by opposition leaders to build a common front against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

Obi, Atiku and other opposition figures participated in the coalition that adopted the ADC as its platform in 2025. However, their subsequent emergence as candidates of different parties has renewed questions about whether they could eventually agree on a single opposition ticket.

When asked about accepting a vice-presidential role, Obi denied previously rejecting an offer to become Atiku’s running mate.

“I don’t know where that was said. I wasn’t even in a position where that was being offered, and I refused,” he said.

Obi was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 presidential election. They later contested separately in 2023, with Obi representing the Labour Party and Atiku remaining the PDP candidate.

Obi Backs Naira Float, Promises Greater Productivity

On the economy, Obi identified the floating of the naira as one policy of the Tinubu administration he would retain if elected.

“There’s one – the floating of the Naira. I’m not going to defend it. But I’m going to put productivity to make it more valuable to the people.”

His position signals support for retaining the exchange-rate framework while focusing on stronger domestic production to support the currency.

The naira float, introduced in June 2023 as part of the administration’s foreign exchange reforms, has remained a major subject of debate following the currency’s depreciation and rising living costs.

Obi said his approach would prioritise productivity, consistent with his longstanding call for Nigeria to strengthen agriculture, manufacturing and exports.

Election Should Not Be Driven by Tribalism

Obi also urged Nigerians to assess presidential candidates by their plans for the country rather than their ethnic backgrounds.

He said, “Our election should not be driven by tribalism.”

Addressing concerns about his relationship with the North, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to the region’s development and highlighted its agricultural potential.

He also rejected attempts to associate him personally with the 1966 military coup, noting that he was only four years old at the time.

“I am committed to the future of the North. I believe the North has so much to offer Nigeria. As a country, we can make more money from agriculture than we do from oil.

“There were regrettable things that happened in our collective history. I was not personally involved in those sad events, but it is time to show love and pursue unity in Nigeria. We must not dwell on the past. We can only build through love.”

He called for greater national unity, arguing that historical grievances should not prevent Nigerians from working together towards shared development.

President Should Spend Holidays in Nigeria

The former governor also criticised foreign vacations by Nigerian presidents, saying the country’s leader should spend holidays at home and use the opportunity to engage with citizens.

“Nigeria’s President must spend his vacation in Nigeria. We cannot continue with this nonsense. Where do other countries’ own leaders spend their vacations?

“Nigeria’s President should go to Zamfara, to Borno, to Anambra, to anywhere. As President of Nigeria, I will visit other countries, but I will not take my holidays there,” he said.

Asked about the security implications of holidaying in states affected by insurgency and banditry, Obi maintained that insecurity should not be a reason for the President to spend holidays abroad.

“It doesn’t matter. Because that’s the country he lives in. That’s why he takes the money to Europe,” Obi declared.

He further argued that presidential visits to troubled communities should involve enough time to understand local challenges and hold meaningful discussions with residents and stakeholders.

“He should go to Benue and say, ‘I’m here for the next three days; I want to see these stakeholders in the state,’” Obi stated.