The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed speculations that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This comes amid reports suggesting that Atiku may emerge as the preferred candidate of the proposed coalition, a move that has stirred anxiety among Obi’s supporters.
In a recent interview with PUNCH during his visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, Obi described Atiku as his “dear elder brother and respected leader,” insisting that he harbours no fear about the former vice president’s political ambitions.
According to Obi, the emerging coalition under the ADC is focused on national rescue and unity, not rivalry.
“Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m a member of the Labour Party and part of the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027,” Obi said.
“All of us are going to come together as a people. For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning Nigerians must unite to rescue the nation.”
Addressing his 2027 presidential ambitions, Obi affirmed his readiness to contest, adding that competence and sincerity of purpose should define Nigeria’s next leadership.
“I’m contesting, and I’m sure I will be. People will have to look at who is competent and capable. I have the capacity to do the job, and in four years, I can change Nigeria’s trajectory to a positive one,” he said.
Obi also criticized the country’s fixation on partisan politics, urging Nigerians to prioritize issues that affect citizens’ welfare, such as poverty and development.
“We’ve talked too much politics in this country. I visited some villages in Anambra and saw poverty everywhere. We should be talking about what will benefit the people, not party chairmen and primaries,” he added.
The former Anambra governor reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, coalition-building, and citizen-focused leadership as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
