Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have denied reports of a power-sharing agreement ahead of the 2027 presidential election, dismissing them as baseless and premature.

Rumours had circulated that Atiku offered Obi the vice-presidential slot on a joint ticket, promising to serve only one term. The alleged deal was said to have been discussed at a private meeting in the UK earlier this year.

However, on Monday, Obi categorically rejected the claims, describing them as a distraction from Nigeria’s pressing issues.

“Politics for me is not about position; it is about doing the right thing,” Obi said during a visit to the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa, where he donated ₦20 million to support the church’s hospital and school.
“I am in a coalition against hunger, poverty, and ill health. What we should be discussing is how to educate our children, not political appointments,” he added.

Atiku, through his media aide Paul Ibe, also dismissed the claims as speculative.
“Right now, Atiku and all other coalition leaders, including Obi, are focused on birthing a credible alternative platform,” Ibe said.
“Speculating about positions at this stage is like putting the cart before the horse.”

He explained that while talks were ongoing among opposition figures, no decision had been made on presidential or vice-presidential candidates.

“The process is ongoing. A lot of ground has been covered, but no concrete position on candidates has been taken. Anything to the contrary is just speculation,” Ibe added.

Both Atiku and Obi emphasized that their collaboration is issue-based, rooted in the need to address Nigeria’s challenges — not driven by personal ambition.