Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar asked him to persuade Peter Obi to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and accept the position of his running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Babachir Lawal made the disclosure in an interview with Diaspora Digital Media while recounting events surrounding the opposition negotiations that preceded the eventual divergence of the Atiku and Obi camps.
According to him, Atiku personally contacted him and gave him the task of approaching Obi with the proposal.
“Atiku called me and told me that he wanted to work with me. He gave me a mission to convince Peter Obi to join the ADC and serve as his vice president,” Lawal said.
He said Atiku’s proposal included an arrangement under which the two would serve for four years and subsequently pursue a constitutional amendment to create a single six-year presidential term, which Obi would then benefit from.
“He explained that during their four-year term, they would amend the Constitution to a single six-year term, which Obi would benefit from. I went to Obi with this proposal, but Peter Obi said he was not interested,” he added.
Lawal’s account has, however, been disputed by Obi, who said he could not have rejected an offer that was never made to him.
The disclosure comes amid continuing political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Lawal had earlier resigned from the ADC in June 2026, alleging irregularities in the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate. Atiku’s camp rejected the allegations.
Lawal subsequently joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in September and declared support for the party’s Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket. (Nigerian Tribune)
