Southeast Patriots Ask Peter Obi to Accept Vice-Presidential Slot and Run with Atiku — Full Details
A socio-political organisation, the Southeast Patriots (SEP), has urged former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to accept the vice-presidential slot and run alongside former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general election. The group's press statement is signed by Convener Barr. Obunike Ohaegbu and Secretary Barr. Ambrose Ugbaja. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
What the Southeast Patriots want — the core demands
In their communiqué the SEP made a clear, three-part appeal:
- That Peter Obi accept the vice-presidential slot and team up with Atiku Abubakar as a running mate for the 2027 election — a tactical coalition the SEP argues will maximise electoral success for the Igbo and the South-East region. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- That the alliance commit to a formal policy pact guaranteeing concrete power-sharing, appointments and development commitments for the Igbo — not vague promises. The SEP stresses binding mechanisms (timelines, monitoring committees) to ensure fulfilment if the ticket wins.
- That both leaders publicly commit to reconciliation and security guarantees for the South-East, including a roadmap for economic investment, infrastructure delivery and an inclusive transitional plan for victims of instability.
Why the SEP is pressing this call — their justification
The group's statement says the proposal is rooted in pragmatic politics and the urgent needs of Igbo communities:
- Electoral arithmetic: SEP argues a coalition with Atiku could consolidate votes across the South and the Middle Belt, improving chances to defeat dominant rivals in 2027.
- Representation and leverage: By taking the VP slot, Peter Obi would secure formal leverage to negotiate ministerial and policy wins for the South-East — the SEP frames this as a route to faster delivery than continued opposition alone.
- Unity and stability: The SEP frames the move as a way to keep the Igbo politically united behind a single, high-impact strategy instead of fragmented regional candidacies that could dilute voting power.
Practical asks & deliverables SEP wants in writing
Beyond the headline of “accept the VP slot”, the SEP has listed concrete items they want to see attached to any agreement:
- A written memorandum of understanding (MoU) spelling out post-election ministerial quotas, timelines for infrastructure projects, and oversight arrangements (civil-society and regional representatives on monitoring panels).
- A commitment to a national reconciliation task force with explicit security and economic deliverables for the South-East within the first 100 days of a new administration.
- Assurances on appointments (governance, security, finance posts) to ensure Igbo inclusion at senior levels of government during the first term.
Possible political implications
If Obi accepts and the alliance is formalised, observers expect several ripple effects:
- Short term: a surge in public debate across social media, party structures and among other regional leaders — both supportive and critical voices are likely to emerge.
- Mid term: potential realignment of smaller parties and interest groups — some governors and caucuses might endorse or reject the pact depending on how convinced they are about deliverables.
- Long term: a successful tie-up that honours its commitments could change the bargaining position of the South-East in national politics; failure to honour written commitments could intensify frustration and deepen political distrust.
Reactions SEP expects and how they aim to marshal support
The SEP statement explicitly calls on traditional leaders, trade unions, market groups and the Igbo diaspora to back the proposed alliance — framing the move as both strategically necessary and morally defensible. SEP says it will organise town halls, media briefings and petitions to demonstrate grassroots backing if Obi indicates willingness to discuss the proposal. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
What critics might say
Any such coalition is politically sensitive. Critics can be expected to raise questions such as:
- Whether accepting a vice-presidential slot undermines Peter Obi’s independent political brand and the movement that built around his 2023 run.
- Whether written promises will survive real political bargaining after an election — the SEP’s insistence on binding MoUs addresses this concern but does not remove scepticism entirely.
- How other stakeholders (younger activists, regional leaders, and rival parties) will react — some may view the move as pragmatic, others as a sell-out.
What comes next — steps the SEP wants to see
According to the press release, the SEP wants three immediate actions:
- A direct response from Peter Obi’s team (public or private) indicating whether the proposal will be considered.
- A meeting between representatives of Obi’s camp, Atiku’s campaign team (or PDP leadership), and SEP delegates to discuss the terms and safeguards.
- Public posting of any agreed MoU so civil society and the public can hold signatories accountable. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Background — who is Peter Obi (short)
Peter Gregory Obi is a Nigerian politician and businessman, former governor of Anambra State and a national figure since his 2023 presidential campaign. He commands a large, youthful support base and has significant influence in national public discourse. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Sources & further reading
• Southeast Patriots press post (social report of the statement). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Peter Obi background & profile. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Public portrait image (Voice of America / Wikimedia Commons). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}