2027: Melaye declares Atiku too big to deputise Obi

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has dismissed suggestions that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should step down for former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that Obi should instead consider working with Atiku.
Melaye made the position known during an interview with DCL, where he argued that Atiku’s political stature and experience placed him in a stronger position to lead any proposed opposition alliance.
The former lawmaker likened the political relationship between the two opposition figures to a lorry pulling a Volkswagen, insisting that discussions about a possible alliance should centre on Obi supporting Atiku rather than the reverse.
“It is not a Volkswagen that pulls a lorry. It is a lorry that pulls a Volkswagen. So, you should be talking about Peter Obi working with Atiku, not the other way around. Atiku is too big for Peter Obi to back,” he said.
Melaye also dismissed concerns about Atiku’s chances of appearing on the ballot in 2027, expressing confidence that the former vice-president would participate in the presidential election.
He urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku not to be unsettled by unfolding political developments, maintaining that the opposition politician remained determined and prepared for the contest.
“My message to APC supporters all over the world is: no retreat, no surrender. There is no tension. There is no need to worry. There is no need to panic. We are okay. We are organised. We are good,” Melaye stated.
He further expressed confidence in Atiku’s electoral prospects, predicting that President Bola Tinubu and some of his political allies would face defeat at the polls.
“Atiku is going to be on the ballot. The elections will hold, and Atiku will win. Tinubu and his governors will be disgraced,” he declared.
Questioning the electoral influence of serving governors, Melaye recalled the 2023 general election, when several incumbent governors contested senatorial seats, arguing that only a few secured victory.
He specifically challenged the assumption that having governors on one’s political side automatically translates into electoral advantage.
“In the 2023 election, 12 governors contested for Senate. Only three won. What can a governor do for you today in our politics?” he queried.
The former senator also cautioned against what he described as attempts to create fear around Atiku’s political ambition, reiterating that the former vice-president remained committed to contesting the 2027 presidential election.
“There is no shaking. Atiku is the candidate, and he is going to contest this election. He will be on the ballot, except Tinubu is trying to give us the Yugoslavian idea,” he added.
The comments come amid continuing political realignments and discussions among opposition figures over possible alliances, presidential tickets and strategies for challenging the ruling APC in the 2027 general election.