2027 Political Alliance: Joe Igbokwe Dismisses Atiku-Obi Pact as 'Desperate and Laughable'

 

Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure and staunch supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Joe Igbokwe, has lashed out at the reported political realignment between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. The deal, which is widely seen as a strategic move to unseat the APC in the 2027 presidential election, has sparked varied reactions across the political spectrum, with Igbokwe describing it as both desperate and futile.

Reports surfaced recently suggesting that Atiku Abubakar, who contested under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, is already charting a course for the next presidential contest. Central to this plan is a proposed alliance with Peter Obi, the popular former Anambra State governor and Labour Party candidate, whose 2023 campaign captivated millions, especially among Nigeria’s youth and urban electorate.

The crux of the reported deal is that Obi has agreed to be Atiku’s running mate on a joint PDP-Labour Party ticket, with a mutual understanding that Atiku would serve only one term if elected. The arrangement is being touted by supporters as a masterstroke designed to merge the political strengths of both figures: Atiku’s extensive political machinery and Obi’s grassroots popularity.

However, this apparent alliance has not impressed everyone. Taking to his verified Facebook page on Monday, Joe Igbokwe offered a scathing critique of the development. According to him, the alliance reflects nothing more than political immaturity and desperation.

Labeling the agreement as “childish” and “primitive,” Igbokwe argued that such a pact lacks the substance needed to galvanize meaningful support across Nigeria’s diverse political terrain. He wrote, “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's childish and primitive deal with Labour Party is laughable and kindergarten. It is an act of desperation. It cannot fly and it cannot sell.”

For Igbokwe, the reported deal underscores the inability of the opposition to craft a convincing alternative to the ruling APC. Rather than offer a new vision or compelling agenda, he believes the Atiku-Obi pact represents a recycled political strategy cloaked in cosmetic unity.

This is not the first time Atiku and Obi have collaborated. During the 2019 general elections, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the PDP platform. Although the duo failed to clinch victory, many viewed their ticket as formidable. Their renewed alliance, however, may be complicated by Obi’s growing stature as a stand-alone political force. Following his 2023 bid under the Labour Party, Obi emerged as a symbol of a burgeoning political movement that challenged Nigeria’s long-established power blocs.

Observers believe that aligning with Atiku again could alienate a significant portion of Obi’s support base, especially among voters disillusioned with traditional party politics. Joe Igbokwe seems to echo this sentiment, positioning the alliance as a miscalculation rather than a masterstroke.

As the political chessboard continues to take shape ahead of 2027, reactions such as Igbokwe’s indicate that any alliance between old and new political actors will face intense scrutiny. With Nigeria’s electorate becoming increasingly critical and participatory, especially through digital platforms, political alignments may no longer enjoy blanket approval simply based on names or party affiliations.

While Atiku and Obi have yet to publicly confirm or deny the reports of their alliance, the political climate is already heating up. The APC chieftain’s remarks, caustic as they may be, are a reminder that the road to 2027 is already under construction—and it promises to be a bumpy ride.