Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has confirmed that he will run for president again in 2027.
Speaking during a virtual town hall on Sunday, June 29, Obi also expressed his willingness to serve only a single four-year term, if elected.
He dismissed widespread speculation about a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that he has not discussed nor agreed to any such arrangement.
A statement from the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), signed by spokesman Ibrahim Umar in Abuja on Monday, June 30, detailed Obi’s remarks during the live conversation with supporters on X (formerly Twitter).
Obi acknowledged that he is involved in broader coalition talks, but emphasized that any alliance must be focused on solving Nigeria’s pressing issues.
“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue and Zamfara, how to revive our economy, make our industries productive, and put food on the table for Nigerians—count me out,” Obi said. “Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it.”
He called on Nigerians to join him in his mission to “rescue the country,” promising that, if elected, he would bring stability within his first two years in office. “Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he added.
On the internal crisis within the Labour Party, Obi explained that he and several party leaders are actively working to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the party, in line with a recent Supreme Court judgment.
He reiterated his belief in power rotation between the North and South, saying, “I believe in the rotation of government. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
Obi also criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s international travels, specifically pointing to his reported visit to St. Lucia.
“In two years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend eight nights in St. Lucia—a place smaller than Ajegunle,” Obi said. “St. Lucia is about the size of Ilorin. PBAT [President Bola Ahmed Tinubu] to stay in St. Lucia for 10 days.”
Outlining his vision for the 2027 election, Obi pledged to pursue a non-violent campaign and push for electoral reforms before the announcement of results.
“We will do things differently in 2027. We will ensure our votes count, and we will demand accountability before any result is declared in Abuja,” he said.
He also detailed his priorities for his first 100 days in office if elected: enhancing security, improving education, and fighting poverty. “We will cut costs, shun corruption, and channel funds into key sectors. My family will not be involved in corruption,” he promised.
Obi emphasized his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and curbing political defections. “There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he vowed.
He concluded with a critique of the current state of leadership in Nigeria: “People are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country, yet our leaders are commissioning bus stops and going on holidays.”
“My past speaks for me. As governor of Anambra, I was physically present wherever there was a problem. Anyone who wants to serve must be ready to risk their life for the people. Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government,” he said.
