Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has once again declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, linking local support in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections to his broader national ambition.
Speaking while campaigning for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Obi told supporters:
“You see this coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you.”
Since joining the ADC, Obi’s supporters, including members of the Obidient movement, have been urging the party to make him its presidential flagbearer ahead of the 2027 election. However, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi cautioned party supporters against inflammatory rhetoric, emphasising the need to prioritise unity as the party builds toward future elections.
Political speculation has grown around a possible Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket, especially following Kwankwaso’s decision not to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have also renewed calls for Obi to consider a running mate role, similar to the 2019 arrangement. Obi, however, dismissed such suggestions, reiterating that his focus remains on contesting the 2027 election as the top candidate.
Urging supporters to back his preferred candidate in the AMAC poll, Obi stressed that their support is “crucial to his political journey.” Since declaring his intention to seek the presidency again, he has consistently maintained that he would serve only a single term, insisting he will not spend “a day beyond four years in office.”
In a separate post on his official Twitter handle on Sunday, Obi addressed the broader state of the nation under the heading “A Distressing January for Nigeria.” He opened by criticising the president’s focus on international travel over domestic governance, noting:
“While leaders in other nations prioritise domestic governance in January, Nigeria’s president prioritises international engagements over pressing national issues. This month, he spent 23 days abroad across two trips—beginning the year overseas and returning on the 17th, and departing less than 10 days on the 26th to Türkiye, where he remains as of January 31. What urgent matters continuously warrant his absence from the nation? When he does return, it often appears to be merely to welcome defectors into the APC before he jets off again.”
Obi then highlighted a surge in insecurity, citing “several killings, hundreds of kidnappings and abductions that include children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers with the abductors demanding millions.” Farmers remain unable to return to their lands, worsening food shortages and rural poverty.
Education, he said, “stands as a cornerstone of national development, yet countless children remain out of school and those in school cannot attend because of insecurity or teachers’ strikes. This is particularly tragic in Abuja, the seat of government, where schools remain shuttered. This is the same Abuja where billions were squandered on renovating a conference centre for the president and Bus Terminals. One must question whether our leaders genuinely appreciate the vital role of education.”
Obi also criticised the nation’s electricity supply, pointing out that Nigeria experienced two grid collapses in January alone.
He concluded:“The collective impact of these events paints a grim portrait of a nation grappling simultaneously with insecurity, economic distress, failing infrastructure, and profound social upheaval. Instead of confronting these urgent challenges head-on in pursuit of solutions, much of the political class remains engrossed in power calculations and the next election cycle. The ruling APC, in particular, seems more concerned with rallies and welcoming defectors than with visiting failing institutions or addressing the daily struggles of the Nigerian people. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Boluwatife Enome
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