Peter Obi Meets Obasanjo Amid Growing 2027 Election Speculation
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, fueling fresh speculation about the former leader’s political role ahead of the 2027 general election. Photos from the encounter were shared online by Obi’s campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, who confirmed that the presidential candidate met with the former president earlier that day. Images from the visit showed Obi dressed in a blue traditional outfit alongside Obasanjo in a white native dress and blue patterned cap, with a Catholic bishop also present during parts of the engagement. As with previous encounters between the two leaders, neither Obi nor Obasanjo disclosed details of their discussion at the time of filing.
This latest meeting continues a pattern of high-profile consultations Obi has held with Obasanjo in recent months as part of his outreach ahead of 2027. In an earlier closed-door session, Obidient Movement’s spokesperson Yunusa Tanko described their engagement as a “meeting of like minds,” centered on national issues and voters’ rights, noting that Obi had once served under Obasanjo’s leadership. The renewed contact also comes against the backdrop of controversy over Obasanjo’s political alignment, after the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum alleged the former president was secretly working to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election despite publicly backing opposition figures.
However, that claim has been firmly disputed by voices close to Obasanjo. His former political adviser, Akin Osuntokun, dismissed the allegation, insisting instead that Obasanjo played a key role in brokering the presidential ticket pairing Obi with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Osuntokun went further, describing Obasanjo as the chief financial backer of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket for the 2027 election, directly challenging speculation that the elder statesman was quietly working in Tinubu’s favour. As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to shift ahead of the polls, Wednesday’s meeting is likely to intensify questions about where Obasanjo’s true loyalties lie and what role he may yet play in shaping the 2027 race.
