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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has denied fracturing ties with Atiku Abubakar, rejecting speculation that he is avoiding the former vice president ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue 2026, Obi addressed the rumours directly, emphasising that he shares a deeply respectful and close personal relationship with Atiku, whom he considers a leader and an elder brother.
He clarified that his recent political movements are not a flight from any individual but rather a reflection of his distinct approach to governance and political strategy.
The clarification follows a turbulent period for the two political figures, who had previously joined forces under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form a unified coalition against President Bola Tinubu.
Obi had officially joined the ADC on New Year’s Day in 2026, a move that Atiku initially celebrated as a defining milestone for opposition collaboration in Nigeria.
However, the alliance proved short-lived due to persistent internal friction and legal battles within the party, prompting Obi to seek a different political path.
In defence of his departure from the ADC, Obi maintained that his exit was entirely unrelated to any personal grievances with Atiku or the party’s chairman, David Mark.
Instead, he attributed the split to unresolved organisational disputes and recurring litigations that threatened to derail the party’s focus from national priorities.
Following his exit, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they have advocated for a departure from lawsuit-driven politics in favour of structural governance.
