Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico and prominent political commentator, Reno Omokri, has issued a stark warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, cautioning that selecting Peter Obi as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election could prove politically disastrous even in Atiku's home state of Adamawa.
In a statement released today, Omokri emphasized that while he holds Atiku in high regard, pairing him with Obi would turn the former Labour Party presidential candidate into a significant political liability in Northern Nigeria.
He pointed to regional sensitivities around religion and historical experiences as key factors that could alienate voters.
“With all due respect, if Waziri Atiku Abubakar makes the mistake of running with Peter Obi in 2027, he may lose even Adamawa because of the political liability that Peter Obi has become in the North,” Omokri stated.
Omokri argued that such a ticket risks broader rejection across Northern constituencies, where voter preferences are heavily influenced by these dynamics. He described the potential alliance as "playing with fire," underscoring the need for strategic ticket balancing to maintain core support bases.
This advisory comes amid ongoing speculation about opposition coalitions and ticket formations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Omokri's comments highlight the complexities of building a viable national platform in Nigeria's diverse political landscape.
Ambassador-designate Omokri reiterated his respect for Atiku's political legacy while urging careful consideration of regional implications in any future alliance decisions.