Labour Party leader Peter Obi has declared his intention to run for president in Nigeria’s 2027 election, dismissing speculation that he would serve as a running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking on a Sunday politics programme, Obi firmly stated, “I’m going to contest for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I believe I am qualified for it.”
When questioned about the possibility of pairing with Atiku, Obi responded, “This is not in play; nobody has ever discussed that. People assume so many things. Nobody has ever discussed with me whether I am going to be A or B or C.” The former Anambra State governor reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party while acknowledging his role in the opposition coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Obi expressed confidence in the coalition’s ability to produce a competent leader, stating, “I am part of the coalition which will be able to produce a president with the capacity and compassion to save this country.” He also asserted that he would not need more than a single four-year term to demonstrate effective governance, saying, “I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance.”
The opposition alliance gained momentum on July 2, 2025, when key figures, including Atiku, Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, endorsed the ADC as their unified platform. The coalition aims to leverage the combined votes of Atiku and Obi from the 2023 election, where they collectively secured over 12 million votes—exceeding Tinubu’s tally by more than four million.
Addressing criticism that the coalition includes politicians linked to past administrations, Obi defended their inclusion, comparing it to hiring professionals with experience in both successes and failures. “You need the experience of those who have failed and those who have succeeded to move on,” he argued. The opposition’s strategy hinges on presenting a formidable challenge to Tinubu, whose government faces growing discontent over economic hardship and rising inflation.
Obi’s declaration sets the stage for a high-stakes political battle as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
