I Can’t Keep Running From Atiku” — Peter Obi Finally Opens Up On Their Relationship

Published May 23, 2026 at 1:33 PM

Former Anambra State governor and presidential hopeful of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has denied claims that he is distancing himself from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the remarks on Friday while speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue 2026, a pan-African forum focused on governance and leadership issues.

According to Obi, Atiku remains one of the individuals closest to him both politically and personally, stressing that there is no rift between them.

He described the former Vice-President as a respected leader and elder brother, insisting he has never had any reason to avoid him.

Obi said he does not run away from anyone, adding that his approach to politics is simply different from that of others.

Both Obi and Atiku had previously aligned under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Obi officially joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, a move Atiku welcomed at the time as a significant step in opposition coalition-building.

However, the alliance later fell apart. While exiting the ADC, Obi maintained that his decision was not driven by personal disagreements with Atiku or the party’s chairman, David Mark.

Obi later teamed up with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where both politicians advocated for an end to litigation-based politics in Nigeria.