Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, declaring his commitment to serve only a single four-year term if elected.
Speaking during a live X Spaces session on Sunday night, Obi addressed questions from supporters both in Nigeria and abroad. In a statement released Monday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, he confirmed the decision and clarified his stance on several national issues.
No Atiku Alliance, Open to Coalition Talks
Obi dismissed speculations about a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, emphasising that any coalition must be policy-driven.
“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,” Obi stated. “Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it.”
Plans for Stabilising Nigeria
Obi pledged to bring stability to Nigeria within two years if elected, and called on citizens to join in what he described as a mission to “rescue the nation.”
“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he said.
Labour Party Crisis and INEC Recognition
On the ongoing leadership tussle within the Labour Party, Obi confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognizes the Nenadi Usman-led faction, in line with recent Supreme Court directives.
Rotation, Governance, Opposition
Reaffirming his support for rotational leadership, Obi cited his own track record as governor of Anambra State.
“I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra,” he noted.
He also vowed to strengthen democratic accountability by ending the common practice of party-switching among elected officials.
“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he declared.
Criticism of Tinubu’s Administration
Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, stating that governance should be rooted at home, not abroad.
“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,” Obi said, referencing a reported 10-day trip by the President.
Obi outlined three urgent priorities for his first 100 days in office: security, education, and poverty alleviation.
“My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds will be channelled into critical sectors,” he assured.
“To bring order in governance, I will prioritize security, education, and pulling people out of poverty. This begins by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.”
A Call for Responsible Leadership
Obi took aim at what he called misaligned national priorities, saying:
“Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”
He concluded with a call for integrity and courage in leadership:
“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 Nigerians.”
With his 2027 declaration, Peter Obi positions himself once again as a central figure in Nigeria’s political future, promising a leadership defined by accountability, reform, and national unity.