Peter Obi Confirms 2027 Presidential Bid, Offers to Serve One Term
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has officially declared his intention to contest again in 2027 and says he is ready to serve just a single four-year term if elected.
Obi made the declaration during a live interactive session on X Spaces Sunday night, where he addressed supporters across Nigeria and the diaspora. He emphasised that his mission is to stabilise Nigeria and chart a new path for responsible leadership.
“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” Obi stated.
No Joint Ticket with Atiku, But Open to Coalition Talks
In a follow-up statement released Monday by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi dismissed speculation of a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. However, he expressed openness to coalition arrangements — only if they are rooted in solving Nigeria’s most urgent challenges.
“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… Count me out. Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it,” he said.
First 100 Days: Security, Education, Poverty Reduction
Obi said his government would prioritise national security, revamp the education system, and reduce poverty as top agenda items within the first 100 days in office.
“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty. We will do this by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one,” he pledged.
Obi also assured that public funds under his leadership would be directed strictly to critical sectors, vowing that his family would not be involved in government dealings.
“My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds will be channelled into key sectors.”
“We Will Do Things Differently in 2027”
Promising a non-violent and transparent campaign, Obi said the 2027 election would be different from the past.
“We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing be done before any result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.”
Strong Opposition and End to Political Defections
Obi also pledged to build a credible opposition movement that would not tolerate cross-carpeting by elected officials.
“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge.”
He also took a swipe at the current administration, accusing it of misplaced priorities amid ongoing security and humanitarian crises.
“Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”
On Labour Party Crisis and INEC Recognition
Obi addressed the internal leadership tussle within the Labour Party, revealing that steps were underway to ensure the faction led by Nenadi Usman is duly recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with a Supreme Court directive.
Tinubu’s St Lucia Trip and Absence from Nigerian States
Criticising President Bola Tinubu’s alleged 10-day trip to Saint Lucia, Obi questioned the president’s commitment to domestic governance.
“St Lucia is about the size of Ilorin, the 10th largest city in Nigeria. President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since he assumed office.”
Support for Power Rotation
The former Anambra State governor reiterated his belief in the rotation of power between Nigeria’s North and South, noting that he implemented the principle while in office.
“I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
Obi ended the session with a call for integrity in leadership and a collective mission to rebuild the nation.
“Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians. Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government.”
