Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has dismissed suggestions that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could support Peter Obi as a running mate in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that Atiku is politically too big for such an arrangement.
Melaye, who spoke during an interview with DCL, argued that any political alliance between Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) should favour the former vice president.
According to him, the suggestion that Atiku should work under Obi does not reflect their respective political standing.
He said: “It is not a Volkswagen that pulls a lorry. It is a lorry that pulls a Volkswagen. So, you should be talking about Peter Obi working with Atiku, not the other way around. Atiku is too big for Peter Obi to back.”
Speaking further, the former lawmaker dismissed concerns that Atiku might be prevented from appearing on the ballot in the forthcoming presidential election.
He urged ADC supporters to remain confident, insisting that the former vice president would contest the election.
Melaye said: “My message to ADC supporters all over the world is: no retreat, no surrender. There is no tension. There is no need to worry. There is no need to panic. We are okay. We are organised. We are good.
“Atiku is going to be on the ballot. The elections will hold, and Atiku will win. Tinubu and his governors will be disgraced.”
The former senator also questioned the political influence of governors, citing the 2023 general election, during which several serving governors contested for seats in the National Assembly.
He argued that the support of incumbent governors does not automatically translate into electoral victory for political candidates.
Melaye said: “He is claiming and shouting that he has Atiku governors, that he has three governors. In the 2023 election, 12 governors contested for Senate seats. Only three won. What can a governor do for you today in our politics?”
He further urged Nigerians not to be intimidated by recent political developments, maintaining that Atiku remained determined to contest the next presidential election.
“There is no shaking. Atiku is the candidate, and he is going to contest this election. He will be on the ballot, except Tinubu is trying to give us the Yugoslavian idea,” he added.
Melaye’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about possible opposition alliances and the political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election.
