Political analyst and Arise News Director of Politics, Sumner Sambo, has dismissed speculation that World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala could emerge as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on The Morning Show on Monday, Sambo said Okonjo-Iweala is unlikely to leave her current position at the WTO, where she recently began a second term expected to run until 2029.

According to him, the former Nigerian finance minister has indicated she is not interested in abandoning a stable international appointment for a political contest in Nigeria.

Sambo argued that it would be difficult for Okonjo-Iweala to consider such a move given the uncertainty surrounding the political landscape and ongoing legal challenges involving some opposition platforms.

“From the latest I’ve heard, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, though she may be considered, is not willing to leave her position at the World Trade Organisation,” he said.

He noted that the WTO chief only recently commenced her second term and remains focused on her responsibilities at the global trade body.

Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, was reappointed for a second term in 2024. Her name has occasionally surfaced in political discussions due to her extensive experience in public service and international development.

However, Sambo maintained that the prospect of her joining a presidential ticket remains unlikely, citing the security and certainty of her current role compared to the unpredictability of electoral politics.

The comments come amid growing political calculations and speculation as parties and political figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.