Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has recently opened up about the potential for a merger between the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing that any such union should aim to enhance governance and benefit the people of Nigeria. In an interview released on NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV via YouTube on Saturday, Obi also discussed the possibility of receiving support from Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 flagbearer, in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections.
During the interview, Obi responded to Abubakar’s remarks about potentially backing him if a presidential ticket is allocated to a candidate from the South-East. “I commend him and I’m grateful for his statements, especially where he said he will support me if it (the presidential ticket) goes to the South East,” Obi expressed, showing appreciation for Abubakar’s stance.
However, Obi quickly shifted the focus from his personal political ambitions to the broader needs of Nigeria. He stressed that his primary concern lies with the country’s welfare and not merely with attaining political power. “I’m not desperate to be president, I’m desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor people because we have a lot of potential,” he stated, highlighting his commitment to transformative leadership that prioritizes national progress over personal gain.
It was also mentioned that the LP and PDP might merge, a notion that Obi expressed he would support—but only under certain conditions. He explained that the goal of a union like this should not be to win elections or acquire power, but rather to enable Nigeria to realize its full potential and practice competent government. “I am in favor of the merger if it will enable us to run Nigeria effectively and unlock all the things that will improve the country,” Obi said, expressing an openness to cooperation that is consistent with his goals for it.
However, he strongly disapproved of any alliances created purely for the sake of winning elections or consolidating power. I am not in favor of it or part of it, and I do not want to be involved in anything similar if it is merely a merger for election or state capture.
Throughout the interview, Obi emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation across various levels—be it party, individual, or other forms of collaboration. His vision for such unity, however, is predicated on the overarching goal of national development. “It might be at the party level, it might be at the individual level, might be at any level, but we must come together to be able to build a better Nigeria,” he said.
