Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has stated unequivocally that he will contest the presidency again in 2027, dismissing widespread speculations suggesting he might align as a running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Obi made the declaration during a recent media interview, where he addressed the growing discussions around a possible alliance between the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 elections. While he acknowledged the importance of political coalitions in building a viable opposition, Obi stressed that his ambition remains clear and independent.
“I am not running for vice president. I’ve been there before. I have the ambition to be president, to lead this country in a new direction,” Obi said.
This statement comes amidst mounting political maneuvering within opposition circles. In recent months, Atiku Abubakar — who was the PDP presidential candidate in 2023 — had floated the idea of uniting with like-minded parties to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Atiku had also hinted at being open to stepping down for a younger candidate, triggering rumors of a potential Obi-Atiku alliance, this time with Obi as the presidential candidate.
However, Obi’s rejection of a VP role suggests a firmer resolve to consolidate his own political base and continue championing the “Obidient Movement” — a youth-driven push for political accountability, transparency, and reform that gained major traction in the 2023 polls.
Focus on Good Governance: Obi reiterated his commitment to issue-based politics, governance reforms, and fiscal discipline — the pillars of his 2023 campaign. He emphasized the need to build a Nigeria driven by production, not consumption, and pledged to stay focused on national development, irrespective of political calculations.
“My interest is the Nigerian people. I want to build a country that works, especially for the youth, the poor, and the marginalized. I will continue engaging Nigerians on ideas, not insults,” he added
Context: 2023 Presidential Election Fallout : Peter Obi came third in the 2023 presidential election, behind APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar. Despite his relatively late entry into the race, Obi’s campaign energized millions of young Nigerians and urban voters across the country. His party secured key legislative seats and won in several major cities, including Lagos and Abuja.
Obi has remained a strong critic of the Tinubu administration, particularly on issues relating to economic hardship, security lapses, and government borrowing. His consistent public engagement and calls for policy redirection have kept him in the spotlight as a formidable contender ahead of 2027.