A presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he is avoiding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar amid recent political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi stated that he holds Atiku in high regard, describing him as a respected leader and an elder brother.
He made the remarks on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, during the Spier Dialogue 2026, a forum focused on governance and leadership in Africa.
“Not many people are as close to Atiku as I am. So I can’t be running from him. This man is my highly respected leader and older brother,” Obi said.
“I don’t run from him. Never. It doesn’t involve escaping from anyone. I’ve never run from anybody.
“I just think I go about things in a different way,” he added.
The comments come amid recent developments in the political relationship between both politicians.
Obi and Atiku had previously aligned under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Obi officially joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, before later defecting to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
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