The prospect of a united opposition front against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have hit a stumbling block, following Peter Obi’s declaration that he will contest the 2027 general election under the Labour Party (LP) banner.
Obi, who was the LP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, made the announcement during a conversation with a group of young supporters in a video shared via the party’s WhatsApp platform and captured by Danroyce TV on Saturday.
In the video, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, saying, “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” when asked about his political plans for 2027.
He also accused the federal government of orchestrating the internal crises currently affecting both the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government. Quote me anywhere,” Obi stated.
Citing a past example under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he recalled how efforts were made to resolve party conflicts through executive intervention, contrasting it with the current political climate. “Today, there are problems in all the parties. These are deliberately created issues caused by the system. It’s part of what I want to fix if given the chance. You can’t have a functioning democracy without strong opposition,” he said.
Obi also called on Nigerians, especially the youth, to stay engaged and ensure their votes count, emphasizing that electoral integrity ultimately rests with the people. He encouraged voters not to be disheartened, noting that efforts toward meaningful change will always face resistance from those benefiting from the current system.
On leadership renewal, Obi advocated for a retirement age for politicians, revealing that he would be 65 by the time of the 2027 elections and does not intend to continue contesting into his 70s.
His remarks come amid ongoing speculation about a broad opposition alliance involving figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition is reportedly considering the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a potential platform for the 2027 race.
Obi’s decision to remain with the Labour Party signals a possible fragmentation of opposition efforts, potentially weakening any unified challenge to the APC in the next election cycle.