Supporters of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are clashing in fierce political debates as both camps jostle for control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. The fierce exchanges, growing louder across political circles, signal early cracks in the opposition’s unity as strategists warn that any division could secure a second term for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Obi’s loyalists are rallying around the former Anambra governor, insisting it’s time for the South East to produce Nigeria’s next president. They argue that Obi remains the most trusted face among Nigerian youth and urban voters. “Let’s be honest—Tinubu is already from the South. Let Obi complete that regional balance before power returns to the North in 2031,” said Uche Ekwe, a political enthusiast from Umuahia.
Atiku’s defenders, however, aren’t backing down. They tout the former Vice President’s expansive political machinery as the opposition’s best bet. Mazi Eze Okwe, a public affairs analyst in Owerri, insisted, “You can’t buy experience. Atiku has loyalists across the North and parts of the South. He knows the terrain and can negotiate the kind of coalition that wins elections.”
Veteran political strategist Nnanna Nwokeji added a dose of reality, noting that neither Obi nor Atiku can dethrone Tinubu alone. “The North-South divide must be bridged. Atiku needs Obi’s Southern strength, and Obi needs Atiku’s Northern network. It’s a simple math they keep ignoring.” He recalled how Buhari failed repeatedly until a Southern coalition secured his 2015 win—highlighting the same risk for both contenders if they remain divided.
From the Centre for Human Development in Awka, Mr. Jerry Okolie offered a similar warning. “The ADC must not repeat the 2023 mistake. They need a united front. If Atiku and Obi pair up, it’s game over for Tinubu. If they run separately again, APC walks back to Aso Rock with a grin.”
Support for Obi across the South East remains intense. In states like Abia, Imo, and Anambra, his name echoes like a liberation anthem, especially among voters yearning for equity since the post-war political exclusion of the region. Any decision that sidelines him may alienate a massive voter bloc—creating deeper fault lines in the opposition.
During the 2023 elections, Obi and Atiku combined polled over 12 million votes—far surpassing Tinubu’s tally of 8.7 million. Analysts argue that if the duo had united, Tinubu would never have emerged president. The ADC’s decision on who flies its 2027 flag could determine whether history repeats itself—or is rewritten.
