Pat Utomi Says He Will Withdraw Support for Peter Obi If He Accepts VP Slot
Professor of Political Economy Pat Utomi has said he will withdraw his support for Peter Obi if the former Anambra State governor accepts a vice-presidential position ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Utomi, who has publicly backed Obi’s presidential ambition, said his support is specifically based on the former governor seeking the presidency rather than becoming the running mate of another candidate.
He restated his position in a statement posted on X as political consultations and preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
Utomi Sets Out His Position
Utomi said he wanted to remind Nigerians of his position because of increasing political discussions ahead of the next general election.
“Peter Obi has my support for the presidency,” Utomi said.
However, he made it clear that his support would change if Obi accepted a vice-presidential offer from another presidential candidate.
“My position is clear, I am not supporting the idea of Peter Obi becoming somebody else’s Vice President,” he said.
Utomi added that he would leave Obi’s political camp if the former Anambra governor accepted such an arrangement.
“The day Peter Obi accepts a Vice Presidential position, I will walk away from his corner. I have said this plainly, and I stand by it,” he said.
Position Comes Amid 2027 Consultations
Utomi’s comments come as opposition politicians and political groups continue consultations over the 2027 presidential election.
He has been involved in discussions aimed at finding a possible common opposition candidate. Those consultations have included Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, among other political figures.
Obi is currently positioning himself for another presidential contest after leaving the Labour Party and joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress, according to recent reports.
The former Anambra governor was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, when he finished third behind Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.
Utomi Says His Position Is Based on Principles
Utomi said his position regarding Obi is not simply about personalities.
He explained that his support reflects his view of the type of leadership he believes Nigeria needs.
The political economist also renewed his call for a national conversation about the age of people seeking executive political offices.
Utomi proposed that presidential and governorship candidates should not be older than 70.
He argued that Nigeria should focus on leadership that looks toward the future rather than what he described as another cycle of political succession.
Obi’s Political Future
The question of Obi’s political role in 2027 has become an important part of ongoing opposition negotiations.
One possible issue is whether opposition parties and politicians can agree on a single presidential candidate. Such discussions could involve questions about party structures, zoning, candidate selection and the positions available to different political figures.
Utomi’s latest statement establishes his personal position on one part of that debate: he wants Obi to pursue the presidency rather than accept a vice-presidential role.
However, the final decisions about candidates and alliances will depend on negotiations among the politicians and political parties involved.
Utomi Had Made Similar Comments Earlier
This is not the first time Utomi has expressed the position.
In January 2026, he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today that he would walk away from Obi’s political camp if Obi became another candidate’s running mate.
At the time, Utomi was discussing Obi’s political plans following his move away from the Labour Party. He also advocated a 70-year age limit for presidential and governorship candidates.
His latest statement therefore represents a restatement of a position he had already made publicly.
2027 Political Alliances Take Shape
As the 2027 election approaches, political consultations are expected to continue among opposition figures and parties.
Utomi’s comments add a clear condition to his support for Obi while leaving the broader question of opposition cooperation open.
For now, Obi remains associated with a presidential bid, while discussions about possible alliances and candidate arrangements continue.
Utomi has made his position clear: his support is for Obi as a presidential candidate, and he says he would withdraw that support if Obi accepts a vice-presidential slot.
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