2027: Picking Obi as running mate could cost Atiku Adamawa — Omokri

Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has warned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could risk losing political support in his home state of Adamawa State if he chooses former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

Omokri stated this in a post via his X handle on Monday while reacting to comments by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu.

PUNCH Online reports that Momodu, during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, stated that a joint Atiku–Obi ticket could defeat President Bola Tinubu.

While stating that he holds Atiku in high regard, Omokri argued that choosing Obi as a running mate could alienate voters in the Northern part of the country, where he said religion and historical experiences often influence political decisions.

“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.

“Waziri Atiku Abubakar is formidable, and I would never criticise him based on the immense respect I have for him. But to suggest that an Atiku–Obi ticket would defeat President Bola Tinubu shows a misunderstanding of Northern political realities,” Omokri said.

According to the former presidential aide, political decisions in the region are often influenced by religious considerations, which he argued could affect voter perceptions.

He further claimed that some residents of Adamawa still harbour resentment over Obi’s reaction to the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak in Owerri.

PUNCH Online reports that Gulak, who hailed from Adamawa state, was shot dead by gunmen in 2021.

According to Omokri, the situation was compounded by Obi’s response to the May 2022 killing of a pregnant woman, Harira Jubril, and her children in Anambra State.

“Now add that to the repeat of the same behaviour after the murder of Harira and her underage children by suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Peter Obi’s home state and his refusal to condemn the incident, and anybody tying themselves to Peter Obi is playing with fire,” he said.

Omokri also criticised Momodu for promoting the possibility of an Atiku–Obi alliance, arguing that political leaders should be mindful of regional sensitivities in a diverse country like Nigeria.

“Arewa has a long and deep memory. They do not easily forget insults, slights and offences,” he said.

He further argued that symbolic political gestures, such as visits to mosques or donations to communities, would not necessarily erase past grievances among some Northern voters.

“Nigeria, as one of the most multicultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multiracial countries on Earth, needs leaders who are sensitive to these differences,” Omokri added.