Supporter Threatens to Abandon Peter Obi Over Potential Coalition With Atiku

 

A passionate supporter of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, has issued a bold ultimatum that has ignited strong reactions across social media. The individual, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @PureMinD_, publicly declared that his support for Obi would be withdrawn if the former Anambra governor accepts a coalition with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or joins any alliance that does not position him as the lead presidential candidate in 2027.

His message, which took the form of an open letter addressed directly to Obi, was as emphatic as it was personal. “I am writing to inform you ahead of my decision to withdraw my support if you ever join a coalition with Atiku Abubakar as Vice President or any coalition that will not see you as the presidential candidate,” he warned.

Far from being an idle observer during the last election cycle, @PureMinD_ detailed several sacrifices he made to bolster Obi’s campaign. Among them: sponsoring transportation to mobilize youths for rallies, printing campaign materials and covering the cost of refreshments at events, and spending hundreds of thousands of naira to dissuade those plotting to disrupt the electoral process. He also claimed to have shielded a Labour Party agent from a violent attack, refused enticing offers from rival political camps, and endured intimidation as a Yoruba man openly backing Obi in a predominantly pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) region.

The post has since sparked a storm of commentary online, with opinions divided. Some, like @oppressed_iam, praised the stance: “We are more than 30 millions behind u my brother from another mother… coalition without Peter Obi as a figure head is dead on arrival.” Echoing this sentiment, @AdekunleOderind stated, “Any coalition with the forces of criminality is zero and we won’t support such movement.”

Others, however, urged a more pragmatic approach. @kingBuchyk acknowledged the concerns but added, “We shouldn’t play politics with emotions. To beat Tinubu, you have to go harder bro.” Meanwhile, @ChumaOrji3, who claims to have been victimized for his own support of Obi, emphasized the bigger picture: “I am more interested in any strategy to ensure this bad governance ends. So it can be Obi or Atiku or El-Rufai.”

The message from @PureMinD_ has reignited conversations around coalition politics ahead of 2027, a critical issue for opposition figures seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu. While Obi has not responded publicly to the letter, the implications are significant. Any perceived compromise on his political ambitions could alienate a segment of his fervent base, many of whom view him as the singular symbol of a cleaner, people-powered alternative in Nigerian politics.

Whether the Labour Party will maintain its independent path or consider merging forces with other political heavyweights remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that for some supporters, such as @PureMinD_, Obi’s position on the ballot is non-negotiable.