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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, held a closed-door meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and a number of People's Democratic Party stalwarts in Abuja to chart the way forward for the parties.
It was also gathered that Obi also met separately with the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
This development however sparked reaction for possible coalition ahead of 2027 general election.
The Monday’s meeting was the first time since after the election that Obi and Atiku would be meeting to public knowledge.
Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, following the dialogue move suggested that it would birth the potential for a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He stated, “Yes, Peter Obi visited Atiku Abubakar. They met for about 20 minutes behind closed doors, so we wouldn’t know what was said, and they didn’t disclose anything to us.
“Since Atiku Abubakar mentioned coalition discussions and such, I believe that both of them must have been engaged in dialogue. And I did mention that they wouldn’t be discussing it in the media. So, they have indeed been in discussions and it is just a matter of those discussions bearing fruit.
“Regarding the coalition talks, perhaps it is already underway. The possibility does exist.”
In his response, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, said Nigerians were eagerly anticipating political unity among opposition parties to remove President Tinubu from power in 2027.
Osadolor said, “It’s positive to see these leaders coming together to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.”
On his part, the Chief Spokesman of Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, Yunusa Tanko, explained that the closed-door meeting with the PDP bordered on discussions on how to rescue the ‘soul of Nigeria’ from the clutch of the ruling APC.
He said, “I am not privy to their meetings. But what you are seeing are some of the long discussions we have had a long time ago. It is part of the discussions and efforts to battle for the soul of Nigeria.
“It is not a surprising thing for Obi to meet some of his political allies to discuss the situation of the country. That is the little I can say for now.”
When reached for comment, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, characterised the meeting as timely, saying additional meetings had been scheduled to occur.
He stated, “Yes, it was a meeting of like-minded individuals who believe there is a need for better leadership in our nation. They are people who see that Nigerians are suffering, not receiving what they bargained for, and observe corruption persisting in high places while Nigeria’s resources are mismanaged.
“They believe it’s the right time to unite and take action to address the challenges facing Nigeria today. Despite the government being barely a year old, Nigeria is facing difficult times under the APC administration.
