KEY POINTS

• Peter Obi confirms he will contest the 2027 presidential election as a principal candidate.

• He criticises President Tinubu for spending 23 days abroad in January amid worsening national challenges.

• Obi highlights insecurity, failing education, and power sector problems as urgent priorities.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has once again declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, insisting that he is returning to the race as the leading contender rather than as a vice-presidential hopeful.

Obi made the declaration while campaigning in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate ahead of local government elections.

Addressing supporters, Obi linked the outcome of the AMAC poll to his wider political ambition.

“You see this coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you,” he said.

Pressure Mounts Within ADC

Since Obi’s move to the ADC, party members and supporters, including figures within the Obidient movement, have intensified calls for him to emerge as the party’s presidential flagbearer for 2027.

However, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, has urged restraint, warning against divisive or inflammatory rhetoric as the ADC works to consolidate its structure and broaden its base.

Speculation has also swirled around possible political alliances, including talk of a joint ticket between Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. The speculation gained traction following Kwankwaso’s decision not to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have likewise floated the idea of Obi serving as a running mate, a role he played in 2019. Obi has firmly rejected such suggestions, reiterating that his interest lies solely in contesting as a presidential candidate.

He has also repeated his pledge to serve only one term if elected, stressing that he would not remain in office beyond four years.

Insecurity, Education and Power Concerns

Obi highlighted what he described as a worsening security situation, citing numerous killings and hundreds of kidnappings, including cases involving children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

He said many farmers remain unable to return to their fields because of insecurity, worsening food shortages and deepening rural poverty.

On education, Obi lamented that millions of children remain out of school, while many schools that should be functioning are shut due to insecurity and industrial action.

He described the closure of schools in Abuja as particularly troubling, especially when contrasted with what he called extravagant spending on infrastructure projects such as the renovation of a conference centre and construction of bus terminals.

Obi also criticised Nigeria’s electricity sector, noting that the national grid collapsed twice in January alone.