Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has reaffirmed his commitment to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Labour Party banner.
Speaking to supporters in a widely shared video on social media this Saturday, Obi stated unequivocally, “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
Addressing concerns about internal party conflicts, Obi attributed the ongoing crises within Nigeria’s political parties, including the Labour Party and the PDP, to deliberate interference by the government. He explained, “What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere.”
Reflecting on past experiences, Obi recalled a similar episode during the presidency of Umaru Yar’Adua. “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,” he said.
Obi emphasized that these engineered disruptions are systemic and intentional, stating, “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.”
Highlighting the necessity of a strong opposition for a functioning democracy, Obi urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their votes. “Even if agents are paid by political parties to look after their interests, the ultimate decision about whether the people’s votes count rests with voters,” he said.
He also appealed to Nigerian youths and the electorate not to lose hope, acknowledging that “positive change will also be resisted by those who are beneficiaries of the old order.”
On the subject of political tenure, Obi advocated for a retirement age for politicians. “By the time the 2027 election holds, I would be 65 years old, adding that I would not want to be contesting for elections in my 70s,” he remarked.
