2027 POWER DEAL: If Obi Delays, Atiku Will Pick Amaechi As Running Mate — Momodu Warns

…Says “A Ready-Made Alliance Is Waiting, Obi Must Decide Now”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s powerful bloc within the African Democratic Party (ADC) has intensified its search for a formidable southern running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election — and the pressure is mounting on Peter Obi.

According to an exclusive report by Sunday Punch, Atiku’s camp has zeroed in on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its preferred partner for what they describe as a historic opposition merger. But the plot comes with a caveat: if Obi hesitates, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, may clinch the slot.

Speaking with Punch, veteran journalist and political ally of Atiku, Chief Dele Momodu, issued a dramatic public appeal to Obi, urging him to join forces with the former vice president to build what he called “the most potent opposition coalition since 2019.”

Momodu argued that Nigeria’s current political landscape demands an urgent unification of opposition forces, warning that fragmentation would only pave an easy path for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“Obi Must Not Miss This Moment” — Momodu

Momodu revealed that he has held several private meetings with Peter Obi — both in Lagos and in Ghana — stressing that he has repeatedly impressed on him the necessity of aligning with Atiku.

“I have said this to Peter Obi,” he stated. “If he does not take advantage of a ready-made union between him and Atiku, it would be very unfortunate. It would be as good as working for Tinubu to come back.”

He blamed the stalling partly on fierce pushback from sections of Obi’s supporters, who he claimed are unknowingly weakening the opposition bloc.

Momodu insisted that the idea that only a southern candidate could emerge from opposition parties was a deliberate tactic to fracture northern support and destroy any viable coalition.

“There is no way any southern candidate alone can defeat Tinubu,” he warned.

Momodu further disclosed that Atiku’s camp sees former Transportation Minister and ex-Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as a strong fallback option.

“A lot of people underrate Amaechi,” he said. “Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari in 2015. He mobilised more than any other person — even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then the mantle might fall on Amaechi.”

“Time Is Running Out — Tinubu Is Consolidating Power”

Expressing deeper concern, Momodu said delay on Obi’s part could be politically suicidal.

“The person you want to dislodge is already the President,” he said. “He has everything. He is either coercing or cajoling governors and senators to join him. He wants to build a false image that everyone loves him and that he is unbeatable.”

Momodu recalled that despite what he described as “shenanigans” during the 2023 election, the opposition still shocked the ruling party in key areas:

Tinubu lost Lagos to Obi.

The APC lost Osun to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Yet, he warned that without clarity and structure, Obi risks becoming politically stranded.

“For now, I don’t know his party,” Momodu said bluntly. “PDP is crumbling, Labour Party has crumbled. Where does he want to go?”

As 2027 approaches, the clock is ticking — and all eyes are now on Peter Obi to decide whether he will join the emerging opposition mega-coalition or abandon the field to Atiku and Amaechi.