By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria — The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to accept the position of running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 presidential election — if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hopes to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
OYC’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, made the position known during a press conference on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Igboayaka said a combination of political rotation, national sentiment, and prevailing socio-economic realities makes a southern presidential candidate the only viable path to victory in 2027. According to him, with the North having concluded its eight-year cycle in 2023, the South is favoured to retain power until 2031.
> “Northern Nigeria’s eight-year tenure ended in 2023, enabling a President from Southern Nigeria to take office in 2023 and 2027,” he said.“Considering that Southern Nigeria is slated to complete its tenure in 2031, it is imperative that ADC chooses its 2027 presidential candidate from Southern Nigeria.”
He argued that Peter Obi stands out as the “most competent, credible, and reliable” figure from the South, capable of leading what he called a “national rebirth” and uniting voters disillusioned with the current administration.
“Fielding a Northern Candidate Is Political Suicide” — OYC
The OYC president warned that presenting a northern candidate under the ADC in 2027 — including Atiku — would be “a deliberate political suicide.”
> “It would be politically imprudent to propose a Northern candidate as an alternative, potentially perpetuating political subservience to the Southern region and inadvertently garnering sympathy votes for the beleaguered Tinubu administration,” he said.
Igboayaka further alleged that attempts to position Atiku as ADC’s presidential nominee, with Obi as his running mate, may be a “conspiracy” to secure a second term for President Tinubu.
“Atiku Must Pay a National Price”
Calling for what he described as a patriotic sacrifice, Igboayaka urged the former vice president to accept the deputy slot if he is truly committed to Nigeria’s stability.
> “For the sake of Nigeria’s rescue, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should pay a national price by willingly deputizing Mr. Peter Obi,” he declared, describing the move as an act that would make Atiku “an unprecedented selfless political figure globally.”
According to him, an Obi–Atiku ADC ticket would be an unstoppable force:
> “The most effective way for Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lose the 2027 presidential election is a joint ticket with Peter Obi as presidential candidate and Atiku Abubakar as vice-presidential candidate. ADC will be announced as the winner before 1pm.”
Historical Grievances and the Southeast Question
Igboayaka also invoked long-standing regional grievances, stressing that 2027 will mark 61 years since the Southeast last produced a president or head of state — a situation he described as “clear injustice and political marginalization.”
He insisted that the Southeast will strongly resist any arrangement that places Obi in a subordinate role to Atiku:
> “The Igbo people reject any notion of political servitude. Those encouraging Mr. Peter Obi to accept a vice-presidential role should rather counsel Atiku Abubakar to do so.”
ADC Risks Nationwide Rejection, OYC Warns
The OYC president warned that should ADC deny Obi the presidential ticket or attempt to field Atiku, the party would face severe backlash.
> “The Nigerian people will categorically reject and dismantle ADC if Atiku Abubakar flies the presidential ticket in 2027,” he said.
He added that denying Obi the ticket would lead Ndigbo and other oppressed Nigerians to migrate en masse to any party willing to give Obi the presidential slot.
Obi Must Be on the 2027 Ballot — Igboayaka
Igboayaka concluded by insisting that Obi’s presence on the 2027 ballot is a national demand that transcends party lines.
> “The position of the majority of Nigerian masses is that Mr. Peter Obi must appear on the presidential ballot in 2027. Any alternative plans will be strongly opposed by Nigerians.”
