Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has dismissed suggestions that he is avoiding former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that both men still share a close relationship despite recent political developments.
Obi made the remarks on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue 2026, a pan-African governance forum that brought together political leaders, policymakers and civil society groups to discuss governance and democratic development across Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Obi said there was no personal disagreement between him and Atiku, contrary to growing speculation following recent political realignments among opposition figures in Nigeria.
“There are very few human beings who are as close as I am to Atiku. So I can’t be running from him,” Obi said.
“This man is my very respected leader and elder brother. I don’t run from him. Never. It has nothing to do with running from anybody. I’ve never run from anybody. I just believe that I do things differently.”
The comments come amid renewed discussions about the relationship between the two opposition politicians following the collapse of a coalition arrangement that had initially raised expectations among opposition supporters ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi and Atiku had earlier joined forces under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in a bid to build a united opposition platform capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next presidential election.
The coalition move was seen by many political observers as one of the biggest opposition alliances since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
Obi formally joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, with Atiku publicly welcoming him into the party and describing the development as an important moment in opposition politics and coalition-building in Nigeria.
At the time, many supporters believed the alliance could reshape the country’s political landscape and create a stronger challenge against the APC in 2027.
However, the coalition later ran into internal difficulties, leading to disagreements within the party.
Obi eventually left the ADC, explaining that his decision was not based on personal issues with Atiku or the party’s national chairman, former Senate President David Mark.
According to Obi, unresolved internal conflicts and frequent legal disputes within the party distracted attention from national issues and weakened the coalition’s objectives.
He also criticised what he described as litigation-driven politics, saying political parties should focus more on addressing the country’s economic and social challenges instead of endless court battles and internal crises.
Following his exit from the ADC, Obi joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Their movement to the NDC sparked fresh political conversations across the country, especially among opposition supporters looking for an alternative political platform ahead of 2027.
Both men were major contenders in the 2023 presidential election and remain influential figures within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Atiku, who served as Vice-President between 1999 and 2007, has contested for the presidency multiple times under different political parties.
Obi, on the other hand, gained strong popularity among young Nigerians and urban voters during the 2023 elections, especially through his message of economic reform, accountability and governance.
Despite the breakdown of the ADC alliance, observers believe opposition leaders may still explore future cooperation as political negotiations continue across party lines.
Nigeria’s opposition parties have historically struggled to maintain long-term unity due to internal disagreements, leadership battles and competing political interests.
However, coalition-building remains an important strategy for opposition parties seeking to challenge the dominance of ruling parties at the national level.
The ruling APC has continued to strengthen its political structures across states while opposition parties reposition themselves ahead of 2027.
Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has introduced several economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange policy changes.
While the government says the reforms are necessary to stabilise the economy, many Nigerians continue to face rising food prices, inflation and increasing living costs.
These economic challenges are expected to remain central issues in political campaigns leading to the next election.
Obi’s statement in South Africa is likely to fuel further debate about possible alliances and political calculations ahead of 2027, as opposition leaders continue consultations on how to challenge the ruling party.
For now, however, Obi insists there is no personal hostility between him and Atiku despite their political differences and separate party platforms.