‘I’ve never run from anybody’ – Obi dismisses claims of avoiding Atiku

Former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential aspirant Peter Obi denied claims that he is avoiding former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar as the 2027 presidential election approaches.

Speaking on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue 2026—a pan‑African governance forum—Obi addressed growing speculation about his political relationship with Atiku.

“There are very few human beings who are as close as I am to Atiku. So I can’t be running from him. This man is my very respected leader and elder brother,” Obi said.

“I don’t run from him. Never. It has nothing to do with running from anybody. I’ve never run from anybody. I just believe that I do things differently,” he added.

These comments come after both men tried to form a coalition platform for the 2027 election under the African Democratic Congress.

Obi formally joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, and Atiku welcomed him, calling the move a major step in building an opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu.

However, the alliance collapsed amid internal disagreements and legal disputes within the party.

Obi later left the ADC with Rabiu Kwankwaso to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress, arguing that the country needed an end to litigation‑driven politics.

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