By Our Correspondent
National News – Former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi has dismissed claims that he is avoiding former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi made the clarification on Friday during the Spier Dialogue 2026 governance forum held in Cape Town, South Africa, where he addressed growing speculation surrounding his political relationship with Atiku.
Speaking during the event, Obi stressed that he maintains a close and respectful relationship with the former vice-president despite recent political developments.
According to him, there is no personal disagreement between both politicians, adding that Atiku remains one of the people he deeply respects in Nigerian politics.
Obi stated that he has never run away from anyone in his political career and simply prefers handling political matters differently.
The comments followed months of tension surrounding the opposition coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Both Obi and Atiku had initially aligned under the African Democratic Congress platform in a bid to strengthen opposition unity.
Obi officially joined the coalition in January 2026, a move Atiku described at the time as a major breakthrough for coalition politics in Nigeria.
However, the alliance later fractured after Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Obi explained that his exit from the ADC was not driven by personal conflicts but by unresolved internal disputes and prolonged legal battles within the party structure.
Political observers believe Obi’s latest remarks are aimed at calming speculation of a deepening rift within the opposition camp as preparations for the 2027 election continue.
The development has also intensified discussions over possible alliances that could shape Nigeria’s next presidential race.
