On Monday, there were reports that Abubakar’s campaign team was offering Obi a running mate role ahead of the 2027 vote.

Obi was Abubakar’s vice-presidential pick in the 2019 election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. They lost the election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Okonkwo said it is typical of politicians to negotiate and discuss at every turn.

“In politics, candidates have the choice to get into their own discussion and negotiation. My own take is that whoever believes he is qualified to be president should submit himself for a free and fair primary election,” he said.

“The toughness of the primaries will determine who has the capacity to face the tough challenge in the general election.

“I’m not in the league of people trying to persuade anybody to step down for anybody; that should be the decision of the candidate himself. So whatever Atiku and Obi are discussing should be left to them.”

Okonkwo also highlighted the need for opposition unity ahead of the next election.

He said a divided opposition in 2023 handed the presidency reins to the APC on a platter.

Okonkwo urged opposition parties to form coalitions that would offer Nigerians viable alternatives.

“The way forward is that the opposition should come together in a coalition, and when they come together, they would give Nigerians the alternatives in integrity, character and knowledge,” he said.

“The opposition must come together, set their houses in order and then take out this government that has become a scourge on the Nigerian people. There is a saying that your biggest teacher is your last mistake.

“In 2023, the opposition made a mistake of dividing itself, and a minority party that got about 37 percent of the votes now became the ruling party.”