Peter Obi, the Labour (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has visited his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, in a surprise move that may not be unconnected with the 2027 presidential poll. 

Mr Abubakar, a former vice president, announced Mr Obi’s visit in a tweet on Monday afternoon,

“It was my honour and privilege to host @PeterObi today. – AA,” the post read, with a photo of both men exchanging a handshake. 

Although Mr Abubabar did not reveal the details of their meeting, insider sources close to the candidates told Peoples Gazette that the meeting, which lasted about one hour, was about a merger towards the 2027 election.

The sources also disclosed that Mr Obi initially met with Jigawa State former governor and PDP chieftain Sule Lamido in Abuja before his private meeting with Mr Abubakar.

Before Mr Obi visited the opposition PDP leader, there were speculations that the duo may be plotting to form opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. 

Mr Obi was previously in the PDP, where he joined Mr Abubakar and served as his runningmate in 2019. However, in the build-up to the election, he defected to the LP, where he contested the presidential race.

Messrs Obi and Abubakar lost their presidential bids to Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.