Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed speculations surrounding a possible joint presidential ticket involving former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, insisting that such discussions pose no threat to his political ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku’s position was conveyed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, who said the former vice president remains confident in the internal democratic processes of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressing that no individual or group has a monopoly over the party’s presidential ticket.
The comments come amid rising political speculation that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is exploring the formation of a broad opposition coalition, with reports suggesting talks around pairing Obi and Kwankwaso on a joint ticket under the ADC platform.
While the reports have generated debate within political circles, Atiku maintained that rumours and speculations do not determine political outcomes in a democratic system.
“It is not a threat, and it can never be a threat,” Ibe said in an interview with Leadership. “Every political leader has the right to make decisions and choices. That is the nature of democracy.”
He explained that Atiku’s interest in contesting the ADC presidential primaries does not preclude other aspirants from seeking the party’s ticket, noting that the party remains open and inclusive.
“Atiku running does not mean others cannot run. We have not reached that stage yet,” Ibe said. “The party is currently focused on building the necessary structures that will make it viable enough to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.”
According to him, the ADC’s immediate priority should be strengthening its nationwide structures rather than engaging in premature debates over possible ticket combinations.
“The most important thing now is not the ticket but to build the foundation for the party to become a very viable alternative,” he said.
Ibe also described Peter Obi as a committed member of the ADC and cautioned against drawing conclusions from unverified political alignments, emphasising that the party’s focus remains institution-building rather than speculation.
“It is too early to start any insinuations,” he said.
On reports of Kwankwaso’s interest in joining the ADC, Atiku, through his media aide, welcomed the former Kano State governor, noting that broad-based collaboration is essential to achieving meaningful political change.
“We welcome the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ADC. Together, we can make the change Nigerians are yearning for,” he said.
Ibe further reiterated that the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election would emerge strictly through a delegate-based primary election, in line with the party’s constitution.
“In the case of the primaries, it is the delegates who will decide who becomes the flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress,” he said.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has previously echoed this position, stressing that the ADC belongs to no individual and that all candidates must emerge through transparent and democratic processes.
“Our presidential candidate or any elective position in our party must come out of an agreed democratic process devoid of manipulation and imposition,” Abdullahi said.
