The Presidency has dismissed concerns that a joint presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi could challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not view the emerging coalition as a political threat.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Onanuga criticized opposition figures for what he described as premature politicking.
“They are jumping the gun. It is not yet time for active politicking as they are doing,” he said.
Reflecting on the formation of the APC in 2013, Onanuga explained: “The alliance or merger we had then was not carried out the way these people are approaching theirs. It didn’t create major distractions for the government in power at the time.”
He emphasized that while Nigeria remains a democracy where citizens are free to form alliances, the APC remains unfazed by the current political realignment.
“As far as the APC is concerned, we do not see the coalition as a threat,” Onanuga insisted.
He added: “Even if Atiku and Peter Obi merge, there is no realistic path where they can defeat a Tinubu-Shettima ticket. It is simply not going to happen.”
The comments come amid ongoing talks among key opposition figures aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
