Obi Blames Government for Opposition Party Crises, Confirms Labour Party Ticket for 2027

 

Peter Obi has reaffirmed his commitment to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Labour Party, dispelling speculations about his political future and addressing concerns surrounding the party’s internal struggles. Speaking to a group of young supporters in a video that surfaced on the Labour Party's WhatsApp network on Saturday, Obi delivered a message filled with assurance, resolve, and caution about the forces allegedly working against Nigeria’s democracy.

The former Anambra State governor clarified that he remains firmly rooted in the Labour Party and intends to fly its flag again in the next general election. When asked directly whether he would remain with the LP, Obi responded without hesitation: “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”

Addressing a visibly concerned youth about his perceived distance from the party’s internal issues, Obi made a bold claim. He accused the current administration of orchestrating crises within both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s two leading opposition parties. According to him, such turmoil bears the hallmark of systemic manipulation.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” he stated firmly. Drawing from his own experience during the presidency of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Obi recounted how efforts were made at the time to resolve intra-party conflicts with the support of the government. He lamented that the same commitment to political stability no longer exists.

“These are deliberate problems caused by the system,” he said. “These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity.”

Beyond party politics, Obi directed his message to the Nigerian electorate, especially the youth, urging them to take ownership of the electoral process. While acknowledging the role of party agents, he stressed that the real power lies with the voters themselves, who must ensure that their votes are not only cast but also count.

He warned that those benefitting from the current flawed system would naturally resist change, but he encouraged citizens not to be deterred by such resistance. Change, he noted, comes with a cost — but it is a necessary price to pay for a functional and fair society.

Obi also shared a personal reflection on age and leadership, suggesting that there should be a retirement threshold for those seeking public office. He disclosed that he would be 65 by the time of the next election, hinting at a desire not to extend his political aspirations far beyond that point. “I would not want to be contesting for elections in my 70s,” he added, implying that 2027 could very well be his final attempt at the presidency.

With this declaration, Peter Obi not only put to rest doubts about his political intentions but also signaled a readiness to once again challenge the status quo — a familiar stance for a candidate who has built his image around accountability, reform, and youth-driven participation. Whether his message will galvanize the electorate and reshape the political terrain remains to be seen, but for now, the Labour Party’s standard bearer has made it clear: his eyes are fixed on 2027.