A supporter of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, popularly known as an “Obidient,” has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over what he described as a noticeable distance from Peter Obi on social media.
The supporter, identified by the Twitter handle @graciouskante on Twitter, accused Atiku of no longer sharing photos with Obi, especially during public interactions such as handshakes. According to the post, this change may signal a shift in political alignment as discussions around the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
“I noticed that you no longer post pictures of PO, especially during handshakes. That’s a good place to start,” the user wrote.
The comment reflects growing tensions among supporters of opposition figures, particularly as talks of a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 elections continue to circulate in political circles. Since the 2023 presidential election, there have been speculations about whether key opposition leaders could work together to challenge the ruling party in the next election cycle.
In his post, the Obidient supporter dismissed ongoing suggestions of a joint ticket between Atiku and Obi, describing such an arrangement as unrealistic.
“Next is to stop your supporters from hallucinating about you and PO having a joint ticket. That ship has sailed a long time ago. That ain’t going to happen,” the user stated.
The relationship between Atiku and Obi has remained a topic of public interest since the 2023 elections. Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, later left the party to contest under the Labour Party in 2023. That move reshaped Nigeria’s opposition landscape and split votes among major contenders.
While some political analysts have suggested that a future alliance between both men could strengthen the opposition, others argue that differences in political strategy, support base, and personal ambition may make such cooperation difficult.
The social media post also advised Atiku to step back from active politics and take on a more advisory role as an elder statesman.
“Additionally, you need to retire from active politics. Be an elder statesman. That should be your role in the next dispensation. Adieu, Baba!” the user added.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times, remains a key figure in Nigerian politics and continues to have a strong following, especially within the PDP. However, calls for generational change and new leadership have become more common, particularly among younger voters who played a major role in the 2023 elections.
The rise of the Obidient movement, driven largely by young Nigerians and social media engagement, marked a significant shift in political participation. Supporters of Obi have continued to be vocal online, often expressing strong opinions about the direction of opposition politics in the country.
As Nigeria gradually moves toward another election cycle, discussions around alliances, candidate selection, and party unity are expected to intensify. While social media remains a key platform for political expression, it also reflects the deep divisions and strong emotions among supporters of different political figures.