Presidential hopeful Peter Obi has firmly denied allegations that he is trying to avoid former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirant spoke about his deep admiration for Atiku, describing him as a respected leader and an elder brother.
Speaking at the Spier Dialogue 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday, Obi clarified his stance. ‘Few people share as close a bond with Atiku as I do. The idea that I am fleeing from him is absurd. He is my highly regarded leader and older brother,’ Obi stated.
He added, ‘I have never run from anyone, and I am not about to start now. I simply prefer to approach matters differently.’ These remarks come amidst a period of strain in their political relationship.
Both Obi and Atiku had joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 election. However, Obi left the ADC for the NDC on January 1, 2026. His recent comments aim to dispel any notion of discord between him and Atiku.