Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has officially declared his intention to run for president again in 2027. Speaking during a live X Spaces session on Sunday night, Obi told supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora that he is willing to serve for just one term if elected.
“If given the opportunity, I am ready to serve a single four-year term to put Nigeria on the path to stability and progress,” he said.
In a statement released Monday by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, Obi dismissed speculation about running on a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. However, he expressed openness to coalition talks—on the condition that they are rooted in solutions to Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“If the coalition isn’t about ending the killings in Benue and Zamfara, reviving our economy, making industries productive, and putting food on the table, count me out,” Obi stated. “Nigeria is in a state of war—we must act.”
Obi outlined a bold, reform-driven agenda for his 2027 bid, pledging to restore national stability within his first two years in office. He reiterated his commitment to a non-violent campaign and electoral process.
“We’ll do things differently in 2027,” he said. “We will adopt a non-violent approach and ensure that votes count—not after Abuja announces the results, but before. We’ll demand transparency every step of the way.”
He identified three core priorities for his first 100 days in office: security, education, and poverty reduction. He also promised a crackdown on corruption and a sharp reduction in the cost of governance.
“My family will not be involved in corruption,” he said. “Funds will be channeled into critical sectors.”
Commenting on the internal crisis within the Labour Party, Obi revealed that efforts were underway to secure the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction, in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling.
On the issue of zoning and power rotation, Obi reaffirmed his belief in the principle.
“I believe in the rotation of power between North and South. I practiced it as governor in Anambra,” he noted.
Obi also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, questioning the timing and priorities of the administration.
“St. Lucia is about the size of Nigeria’s 10th-largest city, Ilorin,” he said. “Since assuming office, President Tinubu has not spent a night in any Nigerian state outside Lagos. Yet, he plans to stay in St. Lucia for 10 days while Nigerians suffer.”
Obi strongly condemned what he described as a misalignment of priorities by current leaders.
“While people are dying in Benue and Borno, leaders are busy commissioning bus stops and going on holidays,” he said.
Promising decisive leadership, Obi said: “To restore order in governance, I will prioritize security, education, and lifting people out of poverty. That starts with cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.”
He vowed to end political defection by elected officials and uphold strong party discipline.
“There will be no cross-carpeting of elected officials under my leadership,” he declared.
Concluding, Obi said: “My track record in Anambra speaks for itself. I showed up wherever there was a crisis. Anyone who wants to lead Nigeria must be willing to put their life on the line for the people. Without stability at home, no one abroad takes us seriously.”
