Eric Patrick
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election, assuring supporters both in Nigeria and abroad that he is prepared to serve only one term if that becomes the condition for broad coalition support.
Obi made this known during an interactive X Space session with his supporters on Sunday night.
His media team later confirmed the declaration in a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson for the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Monday, June 30, 2025.
“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 affirmed, reiterating his willingness to accept a one-term presidency if it helps unite a credible opposition.
While dismissing claims that he is negotiating a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Obi said, “I have not joined in any form of discussion on joint tickets, including with Atiku.”
He confirmed his involvement in coalition talks but stressed that any alliance must be rooted in shared patriotism and solutions to Nigeria’s urgent challenges.
“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 said.
Obi pledged to restore stability within two years if elected, promising focused leadership: “I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria.”
On internal Labour Party matters, he revealed efforts were underway to secure Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the party, following a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Speaking on power rotation, Obi emphasized his consistent belief in federal character,
“I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
He also took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over reports of his extended foreign trip.
“In two years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend 8 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,” Obi added.
Outlining his strategy for 2027, Obi emphasized non-violence and electoral transparency: “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.”
He laid out key priorities for his first 100 days in office, saying: “Three things to follow up with in the first 100 days, prioritise on security, education, and poverty eradication; cut costs and shun corruption. My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors.”
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Obi also promised to strengthen political party institutions and discourage post-election defections
“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.”
Criticizing the current government’s detachment from Nigeria’s pressing realities, he said: “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.”
He concluded with a strong call for responsible governance: “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.”
Referencing his record as governor of Anambra State, Obi said: “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,” he added.