Mr Peter Obi has cautioned opposition parties moving toward a 2027 coalition to resolve internal ambiguities early, warning that failure to set clear rules on power rotation, shared values, and governance commitments could derail the entire alliance.
Obi gave the warning in a video interview seen by First Daily on Thursday, December 4, stressing that Nigerians will not trust any coalition that merely seeks power without presenting a coherent vision.
He argued that the coalition must explicitly outline what it intends to deliver for ordinary citizens, rather than repeating the political patterns that have failed in the past.
Obi said: “Today, I’m a member of the Labour Party, and I subscribe to the coalition, ADC Coalition for the 2027 election. I believe in it.
“But as much as I believe in it, I need to know the fundamentals that we all agree to respect. What are we going to do for the average Nigerian person?
“Because we are not different people. We are still part of the political class. So it’s not as if they were a bunch of new people.”
He stressed that the coalition must present fresh ideas rather than recycled political arrangements, adding that Nigeria’s political class must acknowledge its past failures.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi Planning to Exit Coalition, ADC Rigged for Atiku — Kachikwu
Obi also emphasised that respected figures like former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar can help stabilise the coalition only if its foundations are clearly defined.
He said: “Yes, I respect all those who are leaders there… But in all this, there are still some fine lines that we need to respect, where things must be done properly, where we must sit down and talk about where we’re driving the country to.”
He warned that vague, unwritten agreements about presidential rotation and power-sharing have previously fuelled political crises and must now be formalised.
Obi said the coalition cannot simply ask Nigerians to replace the current administration without explaining the alternative.
“We can’t just say, ‘Oh, we don’t like what these people are doing. Let them go.’ If they go, what is the alternative?” he asked.
He added that he is “not desperate to become the president of Nigeria,” but desperate “to see Nigeria work,” urging coalition partners to prioritise national interest over personal ambition.
Obi concluded that Nigerians will only embrace the coalition if it demonstrates competence, character, and clarity, saying the parties must “sit down and talk about where we’re driving the country to” before asking citizens for their support.