Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in the 2023 elections, has officially confirmed his intention to run again in the 2027 general elections under the same party.
In a 7-minute, 16-second video shared via WhatsApp among party supporters, Obi addressed growing curiosity about his political plans and the state of opposition parties in Nigeria.
Responding to questions from young followers, he affirmed “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
He blamed the internal crises affecting both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on interference by the ruling government, stating.
“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government. Quote me anywhere.”
Reflecting on past experiences, Obi cited the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who he said handled political interference more responsibly.
“I went to him then; he called the INEC Chairman and told him, ‘I don’t want any problem in any party.’ We were forced to fix it,” he recalled.
Obi underscored the critical role of a strong opposition in a healthy democracy, emphasizing that political parties must remain robust to uphold a functioning system. He also called on citizens to stay actively involved in the electoral process.
“Even if parties pay agents to monitor elections, it’s ultimately up to the voters to ensure their votes count.”
Encouraging the youth not to be disheartened by current political challenges, Obi hinted at the need for generational change in leadership.
He suggested the introduction of an age limit for public office holders and revealed that he would be 65 during the next election cycle, implying a reluctance to remain in politics into his 70s.
“These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity,” he added, pledging to champion reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.
