Peter Obi clarifies stance on 2027 coalition, says it’s about better governance, not positions

On Monday, May 19, Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate for Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP), addressed ongoing rumors regarding his role in a proposed coalition of opposition parties for the 2027 elections.

In a response to reports suggesting that he had agreed to serve as Vice President under former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming polls, Obi clarified that his involvement is driven by a desire for better governance, not personal ambition.

Obi made these comments during a visit to Kubwa, Abuja, where he donated N10 million each to ongoing school and hospital building projects run by the Anglican Church. He emphasized that politics, for him, is not about positions but about addressing the core issues facing Nigeria, such as hunger, poverty, and poor healthcare.

“I’m in coalition against hunger, a coalition against poverty, a coalition against ill health, politics for me is not about positions, it is about doing the right thing,” Obi explained.

Responding to speculation that he had agreed to a deal with Atiku to serve as his Vice President in the 2027 elections, Obi refrained from confirming or denying the alleged pact but made his position clear. “Whatever you make of it (the report), I can tell you that, I Peter, have told you where I stand,” he said. “I just came back (from Rome) this morning, I didn’t talk about politics, I’m talking about the education of these children. I’m not talking about positions.”

Obi, who has been a vocal advocate for the improvement of Nigeria’s education and healthcare systems, expressed his sadness over the country’s corruption, which he believes diverts necessary funds away from essential services like education and healthcare. “We are not talking about what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate our children,” Obi added.

As part of his ongoing commitment to national development, Obi made a separate donation of N20 million to support the Anglican Church’s school and hospital projects. He reiterated his belief that faith-based schools providing basic education deserve government support, particularly since they offer services that align with Nigeria’s legal framework for compulsory and free basic education.

In a similar vein, the Obidient Movement, a supporter group for Obi, also issued a statement on Monday refuting reports linking Obi to the alleged agreement with Atiku. Nana Kazaure, the Director of Strategic Communications for the movement, called the rumors “imaginary” and warned against sensationalism and speculation. He reiterated that Obi’s primary objective in any coalition is to combat bad governance, poverty, hunger, and other societal challenges.

“We want politics that is progressive, standing firmly with the people and serving the great people of Nigeria and not politics just for the sake of grabbing power,” Kazaure said. He emphasized that Obi is still committed to the Labour Party and would make an announcement if his position were to change.

While speculation continues to swirl about a possible coalition between Obi, Atiku, and other opposition leaders ahead of 2027, details remain scarce. Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, confirmed ongoing discussions between the opposition parties but declined to provide specifics about any power-sharing agreements. “What I can confirm is that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, His Excellency Peter Obi, and all the opposition leaders are working diligently towards building a viable and robust coalition platform,” Ibe said.

He also acknowledged the rumors of a deal where Atiku would serve a single term as president with Obi as his running mate but clarified that no formal agreement had been made yet. “Once the coalition is fully established, all the details will be unveiled,” Ibe added.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party believed to be part of the coalition discussions, is making constitutional adjustments to allow new members to easily join and contest elections. ADC Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu confirmed that he would step down to make way for fresh leadership in preparation for the national convention, signaling the party’s willingness to accommodate new members in the upcoming political shift.