Vanessa 
Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has dismissed claims that he is desperate to become Nigeria’s president. He insists his priority is the nation’s progress.
Speaking on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday, the ex-governor of Anambra State confirmed ongoing discussions with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political figures. Their goal is to explore ways to improve Nigeria’s future.
Obi, who ran in the 2023 presidential election, says his political involvement is not about personal ambition. Instead, he wants to drive real change in governance.
Obi downplayed speculation about his intentions for the 2027 elections. He emphasized that his focus remains on Nigeria’s development, not personal political gains.
“I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of a coalition, but political alignments must focus on Nigeria’s future. We need to invest in education, healthcare, and economic growth. I am not desperate to be President, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.
He criticized the current political landscape, stating that elections often depend on manipulations rather than voters’ choices.
“Past political alliances led us here because they focused on gaining power, not progress. The real question is: what will we use power for?” Obi asked.
Lessons from 2023: “I Wanted Real Change”
Reflecting on his 2023 presidential campaign, Obi stressed that his goal was to improve education and healthcare.
“I ran because I wanted to do something different. By now, you would have seen changes in education. I would have visited schools personally. Over 70% of primary healthcare centers don’t function. Millions of Nigerians struggle for their next meal. People need to believe that leadership can truly work for them,” he stated.
On Nigeria’s economic crisis, Obi pointed to the devaluation of the naira and low productivity as major issues.
“Devaluing the naira isn’t the problem, but there must be productivity. Right now, no one is producing anything. How can businesses survive when interest rates exceed 40%? We need to do the right thing, and it is possible,” he asserted.
As political realignments take shape ahead of 2027, Obi remains committed to governance that prioritizes development over power struggles.
