A former presidential candidate and close political ally of ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Dele Momodu, on Thursday dismissed speculation that Atiku might step aside in the 2027 presidential race for former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in November 2025, months after leaving the PDP. The move was widely seen as a strategic effort to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Last week, Obi who finished third in the 2023 election with over six million votes behind Atiku and President Bola Tinubu also defected from the Labour Party to the ADC, fueling speculation about potential alliances ahead of the next poll.
Political observers see Obi’s move as part of a broader opposition realignment aimed at mounting a formidable challenge against Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Although stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, were quick to mock Obi’s defection—suggesting he could end up as Atiku’s running mate—key Obi supporters have rejected such an arrangement.
Prominent figures such as political economist Prof. Pat Utomi and activist Aisha Yesufu have warned they would withdraw their support if Obi accepted a vice-presidential slot on a ticket led by Atiku.
In recent days, speculation had gained traction that Atiku might step aside for Obi, based on an alleged understanding that Obi would serve a single four-year term and hand over to Atiku in 2031.
The rumour, however, has been firmly dismissed by Momodu, who insisted that Atiku has no reason to abandon the race.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online in Abuja on Thursday, Momodu said, “Several people have asked me to advise former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to voluntarily withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
“When I ask them why, they say he is too old. Not that they know of any fatality awaiting him. Not that he is less healthy than President Bola Tinubu.
“Out of unsubstantiated malice and prejudice, Tinubu can and should contest, but Atiku can’t and shouldn’t contest.”
The Ovation publisher noted that attempts to discredit Atiku’s ambition had become a recurring narrative in the media space.
“I read somewhere that the best of us shouldn’t play second fiddle to the worst of us. With all due respect, who or what determines the worst of us? Is it because Atiku is well-educated and more articulate than most of his contemporaries and political rivals?
“Is it that his legendary character and successes in business, academia, technology, philanthropy, and his contributions to deepening democracy and the rule of law are his cardinal sins?
“He’s certainly not a saint, but he towers above most of his peers by not being a parasite feeding on the state since he left power in 2007.
“Asking our most experienced and cosmopolitan aspirant to sacrifice his credentials on the altar of raw emotion and primordial sentiments is a monumental tragedy,” he added.