Atiku’s aide confirms coalition talks among ex-VP, Obi, others

Paul Ibe, the spokesman of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed that his principal, Peter Obi, and a former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, were in talks over plans to float a coalition ahead of the 2027 election. 

Ibe said this on Thursday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

His response was a confirmation of the speculations of a planned coalition to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Well, you and I know that there have been ongoing discussions between Atiku Abubakar and some opposition leaders: Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai,” Ibe said.

“Yes, it’s out there in the open. Discussion is still ongoing, and at the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position and the direction that we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”

When asked if both men would be on the same ticket, Ibe said, “What I’m saying, in effect, is that that ticket was viable in 2019, and it’s still viable today.

“But it is left to the individuals to be able to come to a determination as to how they proceed. So, let us not go ahead of them. They are talking,” Ibe said.