History may be on the verge of repeating itself, as Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, recently stated that he has not withdrawn from the race for the 2027 presidential election.
This announcement has surprised members of other political parties, particularly the ADC, as they have been trying to secure Obi’s support to form an alliance, believing it could help them unseat President Tinubu.
Obi’s remarks come at a time when Atiku, leading the ADC, is hoping to gain Obi’s endorsement to run as his vice president in the upcoming elections.
Such collaboration is seen as a potential strategy that could be used to defeat the APC-led government in the 2027 general elections.
Political experts warn that Obi and Atiku’s inability to form an alliance could lead to a split in votes across the country, potentially allowing the ruling party, APC, to garner the most votes and win the elections just as in 2023.
Obi and Atiku previously achieved significant success when they ran together in 2019 against former President Muhammadu Buhari, forming a strong partnership that was later dissolved.
In a recent post during an X Spaces discussion on Sunday night, Obi made it clear that he is not interested in a vice-presidential role, stating that he did not spend years gaining experience in governance and business only to accept a subordinate position.
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“I know how to transform Nigeria. I built my business from the ground up and have more experience than any other candidate, including the current President. Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027. I need your support. I need your prayers.”
Obi used the opportunity to clear the air after widespread speculations confirming his intention to continue his presidential race in 2027, emphasizing that he will not consider a vice-presidential position.
It will be recalled that in 2019, after much speculation, former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the former PDP presidential candidate, selected Peter Obi as his running mate for the February general election.
Obi was chosen on October 12, 2018, after discussions involving other candidates, including Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently imprisoned in the UK, former CBN Governor Prof. Charles Soludo, former Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina, and ex-Managing Director of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) Chike Obi.
Obi’s political journey with Atiku ended for reasons that have not been officially disclosed by either party.
With Obi’s recent announcement, both are now poised to compete as presidential candidates probably in different political parties as the 2027 election draws near.
