I’m going to run for president in 2027 — Peter Obi
Opposition leader Peter Obi has said that he will run for president in 2027, refuting suggestions that he will be Atiku Abubakar’s (PDP) running mate.
“I’m going to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified for the job,” Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, stated on Sunday Politics.
When asked if he was considering becoming Atiku’s running partner in the 2027 election, Obi responded, “This is not in play; nobody has ever considered it. People make so many assumptions. Nobody has ever discussed with me if I will be A, B, or C.”
The former Anambra State governor insisted that he remains a vibrant member of the Labour Party, despite being an active member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition formed by the opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking a second four-year term in office in 2027.
“I am part of the coalition that will produce a president with the capacity and compassion to save this country,” he told reporters.Obi stated that he does not need more than four years to ensure decent government for all Nigerians.
“I don’t need any more than four years. “I will show the way to good governance,” Obi declared, announcing that he would run for president in 2027, not as a running mate for any candidate.
“The biggest amount of damage has occurred in the last two years. Two years can transform things for the better. “People want to see a president who cares and is compassionate,” he remarked.
Ahead of the 2027 polls, talks about an inter-party alliance reached a climax on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, when opposition arrowhead Atiku Abubakar, alongside Obi, ex-Senate president David Mark, ex-minister Rauf Aregbesola, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, amongst others, adopted the ADC as the platform by the opposition coalition to oust incumbent Tinubu, whose administration has been accused of mismanaging the economy, with all-time high in
The coalition is betting on the numerical strength of Atiku and Obi’s votes in the previous election. In 2023, Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Obi of the Labour Party came in second and third place, respectively, with over 12 million votes, more than four million more than Tinubu, who was proclaimed the winner by INEC.Responding to charges that members of the ADC coalition were retired politicians and former government employees.
“In reality, even those who have served in that government have valuable experience.
“I can tell you that one of the world’s largest corporations employed two people who had previously worked for unsuccessful businesses and could explain why they failed.
“To move forward, you need the experience of those who failed as well as those who succeeded, and I need everyone. It is a key experience because they understand what might cause a system to fail and what went wrong with the system,” Obi said.
Obi also noted that while being an active member of the ADC coalition, he remains a Labour Party (LP) chieftain, emphasising that his actions do not constitute anti-party activities.
“There is no anti-party. Remember, we said 2027. We’re not in 2027; we’re in 2025. It’s clear. We’ve embraced it for 2027. So, just because I say I’m going to be part of your supper in the evening doesn’t mean I should skip breakfast and lunch.
“The coalition has just adopted a party for 2027. So we’re trying to collaborate for the sake of Nigeria.
“Today, I am a Labour Party member. I remain a member of the Labour Party. But we’ve all agreed to form a coalition for the 2027 election, and we’ve chosen ADC. Other parties and people will join in.
“We want improved government in this country. We want to see an administration that is more competent and has character.
“This coalition, like previous ones, may include other parties and change the name of the party.
“I am a member of this (Labour Party) and I am going to work with this group,” said the minister.