2027 Presidency: Do No Accept VP Slot From Atiku – Kachikuw Warns Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has cautioned former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, against entering a political alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kachikwu, who addressed a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, described the idea of Obi running as a vice-presidential candidate under Atiku as not only “politically immoral” but also a betrayal of Nigeria’s power rotation principle.

“It is morally right for anybody from a major party running for 2027 to be from the South. It is equitable. That is all we ask,” Kachikwu declared.

The ADC chieftain accused northern political actors of plotting to retain control of the presidency despite former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, having served eight years in office.

“In the last two weeks, they have been boasting, insulting, and saying they want to chase President Bola Tinubu from office,” he said.

Kachikwu questioned what the endgame was, adding, “After all the insults being passed on to the president, what next?”

‘No Vision, Just Tinubu Must Go’ – Kachikwu

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Kachikwu also expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of concrete policy alternatives from opposition figures eager to oust President Tinubu.

“Have you heard these men who hijacked the ADC tell you what they plan to do about the economy, infrastructural deficit and healthcare?” he asked.

He cited the recent death of former President Buhari in a London hospital, saying none of the vocal opposition leaders had offered ideas on how to improve Nigeria’s healthcare.

“All they are interested in is ‘President Tinubu has got to go,” Kachikwu stated.

The media entrepreneur further alleged that there is an orchestrated effort to manipulate Obi into accepting a vice-presidential slot under Atiku.

“What we are seeing is them recruiting people around Peter Obi to keep singing into his ears that he can’t do it. They are striving to convince him to instead accept to become Atiku’s vice presidential candidate. What manner of rubbish is that? He must not accept it,” he warned.

Backing Obi’s presidential credentials, he said: “Obi has all it takes to aspire and win an election. He has the brain. They told me too that as an Igbo man, I don’t have what it takes to become president. Why? Don’t I pay my taxes?”

Coalition Must Be Southern-led

Kachikwu maintained that any coalition aimed at unseating the current administration must be grounded in equity and national unity, insisting that the South should retain power until at least 2033.

“If you want to remove Tinubu, let it be from the South. Anything else is unjust,” he said.

He accused Atiku of engineering a scheme to hijack the ADC by offering large sums of money to state chairmen.

“They are offering some of the state chairmen as much as ₦20 million to resign their positions. This shows their intentions are not honourable,” he said.

However, he pointed out that even if such attempts succeeded, the ADC constitution would not permit outsiders to assume leadership roles, thereby nullifying the plot.

Kachikwu further accused Atiku of a history of undermining party leadership, recalling his alleged attempt to block President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term and his fallout with Goodluck Jonathan.

“He almost truncated Obasanjo’s return because he believed the seat was his. Jonathan suffered the same fate. It was unjust and led to the disintegration of that party,” Kachikwu said.

To put an end to speculation, Kachikwu challenged Atiku to publicly endorse a Southern presidency for 2027. He said, “If the former Vice President says my assertions are not true, I challenge him today to publicly declare that equity demands that the presidency should stay in the South for another six years.”

He added, “Let him support any Southern candidate of his choice. But I know he will never do this.”

Kachikwu concluded by asserting that the ADC would not serve as a political retirement home for politicians seeking convenience over principles.

“The ADC is not for sale and is not an old people’s home. This current political war is not our fight,” he said.

“If you want to pursue your political ambition, stay and solve the problem in your party… I stayed to build my party; they should also stay and build theirs.”