2027: Peter Obi Meets Obasanjo

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Wednesday held a private meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, further fueling political speculation over the elder statesman’s role in the build-up to the 2027 general election.

Images from the meeting surfaced on social media after Obi’s official photographer, Esther Umoh, shared photographs of the visit on X.

Posting the images, Umoh simply wrote: “Earlier today, the presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, met with former president Olusegun Obasanjo.”

Neither Obi nor Obasanjo disclosed details of their discussions, leaving political observers to speculate about the significance of the meeting as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to intensify.

The meeting comes at a time when Obasanjo’s influence in ongoing opposition consultations has become a subject of public debate.

Only days earlier, Akin Osuntokun, a former Political Adviser to the ex-president, claimed that Obasanjo played a pivotal role in facilitating the emerging political alliance between Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Osuntokun dismissed claims that Obasanjo was quietly backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Instead, he maintained that the former president had been actively involved in efforts to unite opposition figures ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

The latest meeting also follows major political realignments that reshaped the opposition landscape after Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The duo cited persistent internal disagreements and legal disputes within the ADC as reasons for leaving the coalition platform.

Wednesday’s meeting between Obi and Obasanjo is expected to further heighten interest in the evolving opposition strategy, especially amid growing discussions over possible alliances capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Although no official statement has been issued on the outcome of the talks, political watchers believe the meeting underscores the increasing consultations among key opposition figures as preparations for the next general election gather pace.