Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, pledging to serve for only a single four-year term if given the mandate by Nigerians.
Obi made this declaration on Sunday during a live interactive session on X Spaces, where he engaged directly with supporters both in Nigeria and across the diaspora. His announcement has since sparked widespread discussions among citizens eager for transformative leadership.
In a detailed statement released on Monday by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi dismissed circulating rumours suggesting he might consider a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He firmly stated that while he remains open to coalition talks, they must be centered on addressing the core issues affecting the nation, rather than political calculations alone.
Obi explained, “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.”
The former governor of Anambra State further pledged to bring stability and significant progress to the country within two years if elected, urging Nigerians to join him in rebuilding the nation from its many challenges.
“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he declared passionately during the session.
Speaking on internal conflicts within the Labour Party, Obi shared that active steps were being taken to ensure the Nenadi Usman-led faction would secure recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the Supreme Court’s decision. He emphasized the importance of party unity and integrity going into the 2027 elections.
On the controversial topic of power rotation, Obi affirmed his belief in maintaining a balance between different regions of the country. “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor,” he explained, highlighting his commitment to fairness and inclusivity in leadership.
Obi did not shy away from criticizing the current administration, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad. He cited Tinubu’s reported 10-day visit to St. Lucia as an example of insensitivity, especially considering the ongoing security crises in various parts of Nigeria.
“St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city in Nigeria, Ilorin. President Tinubu has never spent a night in any Nigerian state outside Lagos since assuming office in 2023. Now, he’s spending 10 days in St Lucia,” Obi pointed out, expressing his frustration with what he described as misplaced priorities.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Obi assured his supporters that his campaign would be peaceful, transparent, and issue-based. He promised to adopt a non-violent approach and ensure that all necessary processes are followed before any election results are announced in Abuja.
“We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing is done before results are announced in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count,” he confidently stated.
He listed his top priorities for the first 100 days in office, emphasizing security, education, and poverty reduction. Obi stressed that his administration would be committed to fighting corruption, reducing the cost of governance, and ensuring that public funds are used effectively for the benefit of the people.
Furthermore, Obi promised that his family would have no involvement in corruption or misuse of public resources. He also vowed to strengthen the opposition and prevent elected officials from defecting to other political parties for personal gain.
“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he affirmed firmly, reiterating his dedication to upholding party discipline and accountability.
Obi criticized the current government for neglecting urgent issues affecting Nigerians while focusing on trivial projects. “Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of Nigeria, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying,” Obi lamented, underscoring the need for prioritizing national security and welfare over ceremonial activities.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of responsible and transparent leadership, integrity in governance, and a deep commitment to serving the people. “To bring order to governance, I will prioritise security, education, and pulling people out of poverty. That means cutting the cost of governance and tackling corruption from day one.
“My past speaks for me. Whenever there was a crisis in Anambra State, I was there physically. Anyone who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for Nigerians. Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government,” Obi concluded with conviction.