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Says not in joint ticket with Atiku, others
By Idu Jude, Abuja
The Labour Party’s standard bearer in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has reiterated to his numerous supporters at home and abroad that he will be on the ballot for the presidency in 2027 and is willing to serve a single term in office.
“I have not joined in any form of discussion on joint tickets, including with Atiku. If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to four years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office by 28th May, 2031,” Obi said.
Speaking on Sunday night, June 29, 2025, during an X Space session to answer questions from his supporters, he acknowledged being involved in coalition talks because of his desire to rescue Nigeria from its current drift by aligning with patriotic Nigerians.
“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… count me out. Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to join him in rescuing the country, saying, “I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria.”
On the situation within the Labour Party, Obi said efforts are underway to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to endorse the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party based on a Supreme Court ruling.
On the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South, Obi said, “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
Commenting on President Tinubu’s visit to St Lucia, Obi noted, “In two years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend eight nights in St Lucia, a place smaller than Ajegunle. St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin. President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023. PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.”
On his preparation for the election, the former presidential candidate remarked, “We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.
“Three things to follow up within the first 100 days: prioritise security, education, and poverty eradication; cut costs and shun corruption. My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds will be channelled into key critical sectors. My presidency will ensure there is a strong opposition in party politics. There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge.
“Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”
“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education, and pulling people out of poverty. To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.
“My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically. Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put even their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.
“Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government,” Obi stated.
