Eric Patrick
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the same party platform, while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the internal crises currently plaguing both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obi made the bold claim in a video circulating on social media, where he addressed a group of supporters on the future of Nigeria’s political landscape.
“I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” Obi stated in response to a direct question on his political future.
The former Anambra State governor went further to allege that the crisis rocking major opposition parties in the country is not accidental but a deliberate sabotage allegedly sponsored by the ruling party.
“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” Obi said emphatically.
He recalled a similar situation during the presidency of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, explaining that the then-president ensured INEC did not interfere with party issues, unlike the present administration.
“We had a problem in our party before, in the past. Yar’Adua was the President. I went to him then; he called the INEC chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and told him, ‘I don’t want any problem in any party.’ We were forced to fix it.
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“But today, in all the parties, there are problems; these are deliberate problems caused by the system. These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity. Parties will function very well because you can’t have a system working without a strong opposition,” he said.
Obi, who will be 65 years old in 2027, noted that the upcoming election would likely be his last attempt at the presidency, saying he does not wish to be contesting in his 70s.
He urged Nigerians, especially young people, to remain hopeful and involved in the political process.
“Regardless of what political parties do or the agents they hire, the real power lies with the people. Nigerians must ensure their votes count,” he said.
He emphasized that true change often comes with resistance, especially from those benefiting from the status quo.
Obi’s comments come amid growing tensions within the Labour Party and other opposition groups, with factions battling for control, raising concerns over the strength and unity of opposition forces ahead of the next general elections.