Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he can change Nigeria’s trajectory within four years if elected.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja recently, the former Anambra State governor expressed confidence in his capacity and competence to lead the country.
“I am contesting, and I am sure I will be on the ballot,” Obi said. “People will have to look at who has the capacity and competence to do the job. I believe I am qualified, and I can change the trajectory of Nigeria positively within four years.”
Obi, who ran on the Labour Party platform in the 2023 elections, has recently been associated with the emerging opposition coalition that adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its common platform. Despite this, he maintained that he remains a member of the Labour Party while working with other opposition leaders to “rescue Nigeria from bad leadership”.
Asked about reports suggesting his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obi said genuine national recovery requires collective effort among all patriotic Nigerians.
“All of us are going to come together as a people,” he said. “For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning Nigerians must unite to rescue the nation.”
He expressed concern that political manoeuvring has overshadowed the dire economic realities confronting millions of citizens.
“It’s unfortunate that the focus has shifted from the well-being of over 139 million Nigerians living in poverty to politics and power play,” Obi lamented.
‘South-east cannot be ‘captured’ despite wave of defections’
Reacting to the recent defections of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi criticised what he described as the use of coercion in politics.
“We are not in a military era when you capture people,” he said.
“The people will decide where to go, not governors or senators. No party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor,” he added.
While describing Governor Mbah as a friend, Obi noted that “he must have taken his decision based on his political calculations” but insisted that leadership in a democracy should be anchored on persuasion, not intimidation.
“As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military time when you capture people.
“You are a leader. You tend to do the right things for them to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere,” Obi stated.
Obi called on public officials to prioritise good governance and policies that directly improve the lives of citizens.
He warned that no amount of political realignment can guarantee loyalty from the people without performance.
“The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it,” he added.
Credit: Daily Trust
