Inside Atiku’s Strategy: Makinde, Ihedioha, Akobundu In Contention For Running Mate

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the ADC, is said to believe that the 2027 election presents his strongest opportunity yet to secure the presidency after multiple previous attempts.

Sources within his camp told New Telegraph that President Bola Tinubu is not viewed as the primary obstacle in Atiku’s political calculations, arguing that his support base in the North may not match the level he enjoyed in 2023.

According to the sources, Atiku’s camp remains unsettled over Peter Obi’s exit from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he later selected Kwankwaso as his running mate.

They claimed that Atiku’s strategists had initially believed an Atiku–Obi joint ticket would have significantly strengthened the opposition’s chances against President Tinubu.

A source close to Atiku said Obi’s departure was a major setback for the camp, insisting that the planned alliance had already been seen as a potential game-changer for 2027.

Atiku’s Running Mate Options Under Consideration
It was further gathered that Atiku is currently exploring alternative candidates for the vice-presidential position.

Among those being considered are former Imo State Governor and ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Austin Akobundu.

However, Makinde’s reported acceptance of a presidential ticket from the Allied Peoples Movement has raised questions about his eligibility or willingness to switch platforms, given provisions of the Electoral Act.

An Atiku aide said Makinde’s consideration aligns with earlier opposition consultations aimed at fielding a unified presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, concerns have also emerged over a legal challenge filed by Nafiu Bala against the ADC leadership. Sources say pressure is being mounted on Bala by some northern stakeholders to withdraw the case, in order to avoid being seen as obstructing what they describe as a broader regional political interest.

There are also claims that former President Olusegun Obasanjo favours a joint Obi–Kwankwaso ticket as a unifying opposition arrangement against President Tinubu, though some ADC leaders reportedly oppose zoning arrangements in favour of selecting the strongest candidate regardless of region.

Party insiders expressed concern over Obi’s alliance with Kwankwaso, particularly uncertainty surrounding the former Kano governor’s influence beyond his stronghold in Kano State.

Some leaders also warned that the potential entry of former President Goodluck Jonathan could significantly alter the political equation, noting that his eligibility for a single term could reshape voter calculations.

A senior party figure stated that electoral dynamics in 2027 would differ significantly from previous cycles, stressing that voter behaviour remains unpredictable.

Atiku’s camp, according to sources, is banking on consolidating Northern votes, securing strong support in the South-South, and mounting competitive challenges in Lagos and other key states.

The ADC is also optimistic about retaining influence in Osun State, reportedly due to the political strength of its National Secretary and former governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

However, the camp dismissed the presidential ambition of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party, describing him as a minor factor in the broader race.

According to an aide, the South-South electorate is highly strategic and tends to vote based on perceived viability rather than sentiment, adding that the real contest remains between Atiku, Tinubu, and Obi.

He further noted that while the South-East may largely favour Obi, the ADC believes it can still secure a portion of votes in the region, as well as win selected South-West states depending on political alignments ahead of 2027.