Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again signaled his interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election, stating that he would be willing to serve only one term if required by any coalition agreement.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi shared the update via his X handle, addressing supporters both in Nigeria and abroad. He clarified that he is not involved in any discussions concerning a joint ticket, including with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“I have not joined in any form of discussion on joint tickets including with Atiku,” Obi said. “If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to four years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office by 28th May, 2031.”
Obi said his coalition talks are aimed at aligning with patriotic Nigerians committed to rescuing the country. He emphasized that he would only support alliances focused on ending insecurity, reviving the economy, and reducing hunger.
“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,” he stated. “Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it.”
He promised to restore stability within two years of assuming office, urging Nigerians to join him in the mission to rebuild the country. “Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he said.
On internal party matters, Obi said efforts were ongoing to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.
Addressing the issue of power rotation, Obi reaffirmed his support for the zoning of the presidency. “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor,” he said.
Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, Obi criticised the president’s travel priorities. “In two years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend 8 nights in St. Lucia, a place smaller than Ajegunle,” he said.
As preparations for the 2027 election gather momentum, Obi pledged a different approach. “We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing is done before the result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.”
He outlined his three key priorities for his first 100 days in office—security, education, and poverty eradication. He also pledged to cut the cost of governance and fight corruption from day one, vowing that his family would not be involved in public corruption.
“My Presidency will ensure there is a strong opposition in party politics. There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he said.
Obi condemned the current state of governance in Nigeria, where leaders, according to him, are “commissioning bus stops and holidaying” while people are dying in states like Benue and Borno.
“My past speaks loudly for me,” he said. “Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put even their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.”
