Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, with a bold promise to serve just one term if elected.
Obi made this known during a live session on X Spaces held on Sunday night, where he interacted with supporters within Nigeria and abroad. In a follow-up statement released by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, he ruled out the possibility of sharing a ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
However, Obi expressed openness to forming coalitions with other political groups on the condition that such alliances focus on solving Nigeria’s core issues.
“If a coalition is not aimed at ending the killings in places like Zamfara and Benue, fixing our economy, reviving productivity, and ensuring food security, I am not interested. Nigeria is in a state of war, we must act fast,” he emphasized.
He pledged to restore stability within two years if elected, adding, “Leaders must stay in Nigeria and fix Nigeria.”
Obi also addressed ongoing disputes within the Labour Party, confirming that efforts are being made to secure Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction, in line with recent Supreme Court directives.
On the issue of zoning and political inclusion, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to regional power rotation. “I support rotating leadership between the North and South. I practiced it as governor of Anambra State,” he said.
The former governor also took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s reported 10-day visit to St. Lucia, questioning the President’s frequent absences from states within Nigeria. “St. Lucia is the size of Ilorin. Since assuming office, the President has not spent a night outside Lagos in any Nigerian state,” Obi noted.
Outlining his vision for 2027, Obi promised a transparent and peaceful campaign. “We’ll approach things differently. It will be non-violent. Before any result is declared in Abuja, the right thing must be done. This time, every vote will count and we’ll make sure of it.”
He also revealed his top priorities for the first 100 days in office: strengthening national security, improving access to education, and reducing poverty.
“My family will have no hand in corruption. Public funds will be redirected to critical sectors,” he assured.
Obi stressed the need for party discipline and a functional opposition. “There’ll be no cross-carpeting among elected officials during my tenure,” he vowed.
He criticized the current government’s focus, saying, “At a time when Nigerians are being killed in places like Benue and Borno, leaders are commissioning bus stops and vacationing abroad.”
Emphasizing the need for responsible leadership, Obi concluded: “We must cut the cost of governance and tackle corruption from day one. I was always physically present in Anambra whenever there was a crisis. Anyone who wants to lead must be ready to risk their life for the people. The world doesn’t take you seriously if your country is unstable.”
