Atiku Is Only Real 2027 Contender, Says Labour Party Spokesman

A spokesman for Nigeria's Labour Party has dismissed Peter Obi as a serious candidate for the 2027 presidential election, naming former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the only credible opposition contender, according to Vanguard News.

The spokesman, Arabambi, made the remarks in comments reported by Vanguard News on Friday. He described Obi as a "chief content creator" rather than a genuine political challenger, while positioning Atiku as the sole serious opposition figure for the next election cycle.

The statement adds to a growing public debate among opposition figures about how to approach the 2027 race. Other voices have weighed in with contrasting views. Kenneth Okonkwo, a former Labour Party member, has claimed Obi was "lured" into the New Democratic Coalition (NDC) and is now "trapped" there, as reported by Daily Post Nigeria. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, the NDC's Kaduna governorship candidate, has criticized calls for opposition unity, saying "fraudulent, lazy politicians" are the ones demanding a coalition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress.

atiku abubakar

Supporters of Obi have pushed back against the criticism. Activist Aisha Yesufu said some Nigerians are angry at Obi and the "content creators" who showcase his work, according to nigerianeye.com. Coverage of the dispute has also appeared in Hausa-language media, with Legit.ng reporting on the differences between President Bola Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi.

The infighting highlights the fractured state of Nigeria's opposition ahead of the next presidential vote. With no unified front, the question of who will carry the opposition banner remains unresolved. Watch whether Atiku formally declares his candidacy or whether Obi's camp mounts a stronger response to the criticism.