2027: Atiku To Be Peter Obi’s Running Mate
Igboayaka explained that Nigeria’s long-standing political rotation between the North and South favours a southern candidate in 2027, given that the North’s eight-year tenure ended in 2023.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to accept the position of running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intends to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
OYC’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, made the call during a press conference on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
He said Obi possesses the popularity, credibility, and national appeal required to “create a national rebirth of Nigeria” if elected president in 2027.
Igboayaka explained that Nigeria’s long-standing political rotation between the North and South favours a southern candidate in 2027, given that the North’s eight-year tenure ended in 2023.
He added that with the ADC national chairman coming from the North, the party must field a southern presidential candidate.
He said, “Northern Nigeria’s eight-year tenure ended in 2023, enabling a President from Southern Nigeria to take office in 2023 and 2027.
“Considering that Southern Nigeria is slated to complete its tenure in 2031, it is imperative that ADC for the 2027 presidential election chooses its candidate from Southern Nigeria.”
Igboayaka argued that, by this logic, Peter Obi stands out as “the most competent, credible, and reliable candidate from Southern Nigeria to succeed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s failed administration.”
He warned that presenting a northern candidate under the ADC in 2027 would amount to a “deliberate political suicide,” saying, “It’s therefore a wrong political permutation, a deliberate political suicide for a Northern to be fielded as a Presidential Candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 presidential election as a presumed alternative for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) failed government.”
He further argued that proposing a northern candidate could inadvertently benefit President Tinubu.
“It would be politically imprudent to propose a Northern candidate as an alternative, potentially perpetuating political subservience to the Southern region and inadvertently garnering sympathy votes for the beleaguered Tinubu administration in 2027,” he said.
Igboayaka also alleged a “conspiracy theory” suggesting that attempts to secure the ADC presidential ticket for Atiku, while using Obi as vice president, indicate that Atiku may be working to ensure Tinubu’s return in 2027.
He insisted that only a southern presidential candidate, particularly Obi, can unite Nigerians against the current administration:
“Mr. Peter Obi, being the most popular and credible candidate in the South, is widely accepted by Nigerians.”
Calling for what he described as a patriotic sacrifice, Igboayaka urged Atiku to accept the deputy role.
“For the sake of Nigeria’s rescue, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should pay a national price by willingly deputizing Mr Peter Obi,” he said.
He added that Atiku would make “an unprecedented selfless political history globally” by doing so.
The OYC leader said that an Obi–Atiku ticket would guarantee ADC’s victory, stressing, “The most effective way for Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lose the 2027 presidential election is a joint ticket with Peter Obi as presidential candidate and Atiku Abubakar as vice-presidential candidate; ADC will be announced as the winner before 1pm.”
Igboayaka also pointed to historical grievances, noting that, “By 2027, it would be 61 years since the South East last produced a President or Head of State, a clear injustice and political marginalization.”
He said Atiku accepting a deputy role would be a major step toward healing these longstanding grievances.
Rejecting suggestions for Obi to serve under Atiku, he insisted, “The Igbo people reject any notion of political servitude to other tribes and will not acquiesce to a subordinate role within Nigeria’s political landscape in this critical time; hence, those encouraging Mr. Peter Obi to accept a Vice Presidential role under Atiku Abubakar should rather counsel Atiku Abubakar to accept the Vice Presidential slot to Mr. Peter Obi, thereby ensuring the presidency remains in Southern Nigeria till 2031 Presidency will return to Northern Nigeria.”
Igboayaka warned that the ADC would face nationwide rejection if it fields Atiku as its presidential candidate.
“The Nigerian people will categorically reject and dismantle ADC if Atiku Abubakar flies the presidential ticket in 2027,” he said.
He also cautioned that denying Obi the ADC ticket would lead Ndigbo and other “oppressed Nigerians” to migrate to any political party willing to offer Obi the presidential slot.
Igboayaka, who emphasised that Obi’s presence on the 2027 ballot is a national demand, said, “The position of the majority of Nigerian masses is that Mr Peter Obi must appear on the presidential ballot in 2027, regardless of political affiliation. Any alternative plans will be strongly opposed by Nigerians.”
