Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, assuring supporters that no attempt to prevent his participation would succeed.
Obi made the declaration in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the OBIDIENT Conference and official declaration for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC,” where he addressed members of the Obidient Movement and party faithful on his political future.
He explained that he left the Labour Party after being informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not recognise the party’s leadership if he remained.
“I left LP when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognise its leadership, that the federal government doesn’t want me on the ballot,” he said.
Reaffirming his resolve, Obi added, “I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom, and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit them for them.”
The former governor also criticised the borrowing record of the current administration, warning of long-term implications for the country’s economy.
“The current administration has collected more loans than every other administration, and most of these loans will be repaid from 2045 to 2050 when most of the people who plunged the country into this indebtedness are no more,” Obi said.
He urged Nigerians to work with him to “rescue Nigeria” for future generations, warning that continued poor governance could worsen conditions for young people if reforms are not implemented.
Outlining his priorities, Obi said his administration would focus heavily on education and healthcare, noting that countries that achieved sustainable growth did so through deliberate investment in human capital. He also pledged to tackle corruption, arguing that ethical leadership could significantly reduce the problem.
“When I became governor of Anambra, I advised my wife to forget about the Office of First Lady because we were not elected together,” he said. “I approved over 100 Certificates of Occupancy on government land, but had none for myself or family. If you find any, petition me to the appropriate authority.”
Obi further disclosed plans to tour higher institutions across the country to assess challenges firsthand, stressing that those joining his political movement must prioritise the future and well-being of Nigerians.
Also speaking at the event, the global coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa, urged supporters to mobilise nationwide ahead of 2027 and rally behind the ADC as a platform for political change.
Akwa Ibom State coordinator of the movement, Ben Smith, described the next presidential election as pivotal for the country.
“The 2027 presidential election is not about an individual but about a generation, jobs for the youths, security for families, dignity for workers and hope for every Nigerian,” he said.
Obi’s remarks have injected fresh momentum into early discussions around the 2027 general election as political alignments continue to evolve across the country.
