The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has officially declared his intention to run for president again in the 2027 general election. Speaking during a live session on X Spaces on Sunday night, Obi affirmed his readiness to serve only a single four-year term if elected.
During the interactive session, which included participants from within Nigeria and the diaspora, Obi made clear his position on governance, the current state of the nation, and his vision for Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, the former Anambra governor dismissed ongoing speculations about a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. However, he did not rule out coalition arrangements, provided they focus on addressing Nigeria’s fundamental issues.
“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,” Obi said.
Obi also pledged to stabilise the country within his first two years in office and urged citizens to rally behind the goal of national transformation.
“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he added.
Addressing the internal crisis within the Labour Party, Obi revealed that moves were underway to secure INEC recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
On the subject of power rotation, Obi reiterated his long-held belief in zoning leadership positions: “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
He also weighed in on reports of President Bola Tinubu’s travel to St. Lucia, criticising the President’s domestic absence.
“St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin. President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023. PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Obi assured supporters that his campaign would be defined by transparency and a commitment to non-violence.
“We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.”
Obi also outlined three top priorities for his first 100 days if elected: security, education, and poverty alleviation. He promised accountability in governance, saying: “My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors.”
He also vowed to enforce political discipline and curb party-switching by elected officials.
“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he asserted.
Obi took a swipe at the current administration, accusing it of misplaced priorities amid national insecurity.
“Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”
He concluded by stressing the need for responsible leadership rooted in integrity and service:
“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty. To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.
My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically. 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.”
