The camps of former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Labor’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have denied speculation about a possible collaboration for the 2027 presidential election.
Social media platforms were abuzz after a photo of Mr. Atiku hosting Mr. Obi for breakfast at his Adamawa state residence went viral, sparking rumors of a possible collaboration.
Atiku shared a video of the meeting on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, with the caption: “Time for breakfast with my friend #PeterObi in the land of beauty.”
The video showed the two leaders seated at a dining table alongside other leaders, having a lively discussion while eating. The footage went viral, reigniting debate about a possible merger between key opposition figures in the run-up to the next general election.
The development comes as Deputy Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, hinted at collaboration talks between opposition leaders, including Atiku and Obi, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso. It happened a few months later. .
Reacting to the breakfast, Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe clarified that the meeting was not a political strategy meeting but a friendly reunion.
He said, “Let’s not jump the gun. In fact, Obi has accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 16th Foundation Day, which marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of AUN. The obi is also part of the celebration.
“This university was founded by Atiku Abubakar and he was more like his host. But people think it’s because of politics. We all know friends. The truth is that politics cannot separate friends.
“So Atiku invited him to breakfast and from there he joined the program and I think that’s what happened.”
Mr. Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, also denied that the Adamawa breakfast was a rehearsal for the 2027 common ticket.
Umar said it was comical to imagine that Nigerians would always add a political tinge to any meeting involving party bigwigs like the two.
“No, that didn’t happen. They just invited him (Obi) to give a speech there. It has nothing to do with politics. Of course you know people always assume things ” he explained.
