The fight for Nigeria's presidency in 2027 is heating up inside the African Democratic Congress, and the central question is simple: can Peter Obi beat Atiku Abubakar for the party's presidential ticket?
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have all declared their intention to contest under the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections. But it is the Obi-Atiku contest that has drawn the most attention, and the outcome may well determine whether the opposition can mount a credible challenge against President Bola Tinubu.
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The Case for Atiku
Not everyone shares that optimism. An APC chieftain, Ahmad Abba Dangata, expressed scepticism about Obi's chances, saying that as long as Atiku is in the party, it would be difficult for anyone to defeat him for the nomination.
Atiku is also playing the long game internationally. Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that Atiku committed $1.2 million to a Washington-based lobbying firm under a deal formally registered on April 1, 2026, with the firm tasked with strengthening his standing among U.S. policymakers and countering narratives from incumbent authorities.
This sets the stage for a heavyweight clash for the party's presidential ticket against Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party sensation who retains a formidable grassroots following.
Obi and Kwankwaso Join Forces
Sensing that neither can defeat Atiku alone, Obi and Kwankwaso have reportedly begun exploring a joint strategy. “There is hardly a chance that either Obi or Kwankwaso, acting alone, can defeat Atiku at the primaries. But with both of them pulling their weight together, they believe they may stand a chance,” a source told Daily Trust.