Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, have denied speculations that they are in discussions for a joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The rumours were sparked up on Saturday after a video of Atiku and Obi having breakfast at Atiku’s residence in Adamawa State went viral with many concluding that the meeting between the two was a prelude to a discussion towards presenting a joint front for 2027.
The video which Atiku shared on his official X account had the caption:
“It is breakfast time with my friend, #PeterObi, in the ‘land of beauty.”
It is breakfast time with my friend, @PeterObi, in the “land of beauty.” -AA pic.twitter.com/TL54ctopBI
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) November 30, 2024
The video which featured the two political leaders alongside others believed to be top officials of both parties seated together at a dining table, had many people speculating that something was in the offing.
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But while reacting to the speculations over the breakfast meeting, Paul Ibe, the Media Adviser to Atiku, in a statement late Saturday, said the meeting was more of a reunion between two old friends and had nothing to do with politics.
“Let us not jump the gun. The fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration,” Ibe said in the statement.
“The university was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host. But people think it is because of politics. We all know our friends. The truth is that politics cannot separate friends.
“So Atiku invited him to breakfast and from there, they went for the programme. I think that is what happened.”
Also debunking the rumours,
Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said it was laughable to imagine that Nigerians would always add a political undertone to every meeting that involves party bigwigs like the duo.
He stated that the Adamawa breakfast meeting was just a reunion of old friends and not a dress rehearsal for the 2027 joint ticket.
“No, there was nothing like that. They just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there. It has nothing to do with politics. Of course, you know people will always assume things,” Umar explained.
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