Obi says he will run for president in 2027 dismissing suggestions he will stand as Atiku's running mate

FORMER Anambra State governor Peter Obi has lit up the Nigerian political environment by declaring that he will be a presidential candidate again in 2027 and will even be willing to serve for just a single team as part of a coalition deal.

Governor Obi, 63, who served as Anambra State governor between 2007 and 2014, stood as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate as running mate to former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2019. In 2022, however, he left the PDP and defected to the Labour party who nominated him as their presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

In a close three-way poll, Governor Obi came third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Abubakar of the PDP. His Obedient Movement, however, captured the mood of the Nigerian masses, attracting a lot of young and urban voters who were yearning for change.

Over recent weeks, there has been a lot of political jostling in Nigeria, with talk of a united opposition forming a coalition movement that would involve the PDP and Labour Party among others. It is believed that this united opposition would field a candidate from southern Nigeria in a bid to unseat President Tinubu as part of a gentleman's agreement that the presidency of Nigeria should rotate between the north and the south.

Responding to all the speculation surrounding his candidacy, Governor Obi has assured his supporters at home and abroad that he will be contesting the 2027 elections and is willing to do a single four-year term as president. He also dismissed speculations that he had discussed or had agreed to a joint ticket with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Ibrahim Umar, the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach, appeared on political platform X Space yesterday, to answer questions from Governor Obi's numerous supporters. He pointed out that Governor Obi acknowledged being involved in coalition talks because of his desire to rescue Nigeria from the drift by aligning with all patriotic Nigerians.

According to Mr Umar, Governor Obi said: “If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive and how to put food on the tables of Nigerians, then count me out. Nigeria is currently at war and we need to do something about it.

“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria.”

On the situation in the Labour Party, Governor Obi explained that he and several party leaders are working around the clock to get the Independent National Electoral Commission to endorse the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the party based on a recent Supreme Court ruling. He then added that he is in full support of the rotation of the presidency between the north and south of the country.

Governor  Obi added:  “I believe in the rotation of government between north and south. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor. My Presidency will ensure there is a strong opposition in party politics and there will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge.

“Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno and other parts of the country and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying. To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.

“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 even their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians."