THE 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday, said his involvement in the coalition of opposition parties, ahead of the 2027 election, wasn’t about positions but replacing bad governance with a better one.

Obi said this in response to reports that he had agreed to a deal with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to serve as Vice President in the 2027 polls.

It was alleged that, as part of the agreement, Atiku committed to serving a single term of four years and was prepared to sign a written agreement.

However, plans for a major opposition coalition, ahead of the 2027 general elections, are being closely guarded, with details of the agreement between Atiku and Obi remaining under wraps.

Sources disclosed that the two political heavyweights, alongside other opposition leaders, are working diligently to build a robust and viable coalition platform to challenge the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The coalition’s formation is seen as a strategic move to unite Nigeria’s fragmented opposition and present a formidable challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections.

For now, however, the opposition leaders remain tight-lipped, focusing on ironing out the final details of their alliance.

Obi on VP slot deal

However, Obi, who was not definite on the existence of such a pact, spoke on the sidelines of an event where he donated N10 million each to a school and hospital building project undertaken by the Anglican Church in Kubwa, Abuja.

The former Anambra State governor said: “I’m in coalition against hunger, a coalition against poverty, a coalition against ill health, politics for me is not about positions, it is about doing the right thing.

“Whatever you make of it (the report), I can tell you that, I Peter, have told you where I stand. I just came back (from Rome), I didn’t talk about politics, I’m talking about the education of these children. I’m not talking about positions.

“In this country, we are not talking about what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate our children.”

While making a N20 million donation to the Anglican Church School and hospital building projects, Obi described investments in education and healthcare services as key to national development.

He expressed sadness that the high rate of corruption in Nigeria was robbing the nation of the required funds to invest in critical areas of national life.

Obidients dismiss 2027 VP slot dealThe Obidient Movement on its part refuted the report linking its principal, Peter Obi, to the alleged pact with the former Vice President to serve as running mate for the 2027 polls.

The Director, Strategic Communications of the movement, Nana Kazaure, in a statement, said the refutal became necessary in the light of suggestions that Mr Obi has accepted the alleged offer in the proposed coalition of opposition parties.

Kazaure said: “The Obidient Movement has been inundated with calls from our members within and outside the country, including other members of the public, regarding a media publication claiming that our principal, Peter Obi, has been offered the running mate position to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the new coalition being formed ahead of 2027.

“Even as we know that the publication is imaginary to the author, we are tempted not to ignore it because of the possible far-reaching misconception it will have in the public space.

“While frank and cordial engagements with our partners and stakeholders towards a coalition continue amicably, the Obidient Movement would like to state emphatically that there is no truth or basis to the reports whatsoever.

“Without any risk of contradiction, we would like to reiterate that Mr Obi has maintained that his objective and his involvement in a coalition, is to provide a united front against and to tackle issues of bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out-of-school children and the myriad of other problems daily afflicting the people of Nigeria.

“At this point, Mr Peter Obi remains in the Labour Party, and if ever this changes, he will make that announcement himself.

“The Obidient Movement would like to advise against sensationalism and speculation on these matters. At this difficult time, all Nigerians and the media, inclusive, should emphasise and contribute to building a better country.”