The Deputy National Financial Secretary of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fabiyi Oladimeji, has dismissed the viability of a presidential ticket pairing Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Oladimeji argued that only a joint ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would give the ADC the electoral strength needed to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Oladimeji based his position on voting patterns from the 2023 general election, noting that the combined votes secured by Obi, Atiku and Rabiu Kwankwaso were significantly higher than the votes recorded by the eventual winner.
“Even Kwankwaso and Obi cannot give us the number; I am sorry to say this. The best number is Atiku and Obi,” Oladimeji said.
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According to him, the trio collectively polled between 14 and 15 million votes in 2023, while the president secured about eight million votes. He maintained that a strategic alliance among key opposition figures would present a formidable challenge in the next election cycle.
“If these forces come together, Nigerians will see the difference,” he added.
The ADC chieftain further disclosed that Atiku has expressed willingness to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate, adding that former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi had made a similar commitment.
He called on Obi to publicly affirm his readiness to support a consensus candidate if he does not clinch the party’s ticket, stressing that the 2027 contest should be driven by national interest rather than personal ambition.
“We are expecting Peter Obi to also make that commitment because this is not about personal ambition; it is about rescuing the country,” Oladimeji stated.
His comments come amid ongoing consultations and coalition talks within the opposition aimed at building a united front capable of unseating the APC in 2027.