Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed speculations about a possible alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 elections, stressing that no such agreement exists.
Speaking during an interactive session on X Space on Sunday night, the former Anambra State governor reiterated his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. He maintained his support for the rotational presidency principle to ensure equity between Nigeria’s North and South.
Obi assured his supporters that if elected, he would serve only a single term in line with fairness since President Bola Tinubu, by 2027, would have completed the South’s initial four-year slot.
“My integrity is worth more than being President,” Obi declared. “If the consensus is to serve two years, I will do so and inject competence, capacity, and compassion into governance.”
He described zoning as a moral duty, not mere political convenience, recalling how he upheld zoning at great personal and political cost as Anambra governor.
“I championed zoning in Anambra and paid the price. I remain committed to it.”
On talks of potential coalitions ahead of 2027, Obi stated he would never join alliances based on desperation for power rather than people-focused leadership.
He criticised President Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips, describing them as wasteful and disconnected from Nigeria’s challenges. Citing Tinubu’s recent visit to St. Lucia, Obi queried its relevance to Nigerians’ daily struggles.
“What strategic or economic value does a trip to St. Lucia bring to 200 million Nigerians?” he asked. “While our people die daily in Benue and Borno, leaders are abroad cutting ribbons at bus stops.”
Obi revealed that as of January 2025, Tinubu had embarked on 20 foreign trips, spending 59 days in France alone, yet never spent a night in any Nigerian state outside Lagos.
“I will not govern from private jets. I will govern from the ground, from the pain, hope, and strength of our people,” Obi vowed.
He outlined his first 100 days’ agenda to include tackling insecurity, reforming education, rebuilding healthcare, eradicating poverty, fighting corruption, and reducing governance costs. He promised prudent management of public funds.
“My family will never touch public funds. Every kobo will go into critical sectors, not into pockets.”
Obi further pledged to uphold democratic integrity by strengthening opposition parties, ending political defections, and ensuring electoral transparency.
“In 2027, votes will count. The right thing must be done before any results are announced in Abuja. We will be peaceful but unyielding.”
He closed with a call for sacrificial leadership: “If you want to lead, be ready to lay down your life for the people. That is the only true test of leadership.”
