By Jane Okafor, Abuja
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi, has confirmed his readiness to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Obi also pledged to serve a single four-year term if elected.
The former governor of Anambra State through a statement released on Monday by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, dismissed claims of any possibility of joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Obi was the running mate of Atiku Abubakar on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the 2019 presidential election where by the then incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress(APC) was eventually reelected. In 2023 general election, Obi came third.
However, on Sunday night while speaking and answering questions during a live session on X Spaces from supporters both in Nigeria and diaspora, Obi said that he would be on the ballot for the presidency in 2027 and would be willing to do one term in office
He also that said he was open to coalition talks, provided the promoters remained focused on addressing Nigeria’s critical problems.
Obi, however, clarified through the statement by Ibrahim Umar on Monday he was not in any discussion with Atiku on coalition.
He said, “I have not joined in any form of discussion on joint tickets including with Atiku.
“If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to 4 years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office by 28th May, 2031.”
He acknowledged being involved in coalition talks because of his “desire to rescue Nigeria from the drift by aligning with all patriotic Nigerians.”
Obi said, “If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians. Count me out. Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it.”
He advised Nigerians to see the need to rescue the country with him.
Obi said, “I will bring stability to Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria.”
On the lingering crisis in the Labour Party, Obi said they are working around the clock to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party based on the Supreme Court ruling.
Speaking on the rotation of the presidency between the North and South, Obi said: “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
On President Bola Tinubu’s visit to St Lucia, Obi said: “In 2 years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend 8 nights in St Lucia, a place smaller than Ajegunle.
“St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin. President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023. PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.
He also spoke on his preparation for the election, saying, “We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.
“Three things to follow up with in the first 100 days. Prioritise security, education and poverty eradication; cut costs and shun corruption. My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors.
“My Presidency will ensure there is a strong opposition in party politics. There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge.
“Imagine in this country, People are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country and our leaders are commissioning Bus Stops and holidaying.
“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty. To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.
“My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically. Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.
“Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government.”
Speaking on power rotation, Obi stated, “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”
