Peter Obi Signals Final Run for Presidency in 2027, Criticizes Government Meddling in Opposition Politics [VIDEO]

 

Peter Obi, presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has made a bold declaration that the 2027 contest could be his final attempt at Nigeria’s highest office. Addressing a group of young Nigerians in a candid video that has since gone viral, the former Anambra State governor offered a glimpse into his political future and the challenges facing democratic opposition in the country.

The seven-minute video, circulated widely on the Labour Party’s WhatsApp platform, featured Obi reflecting on age, integrity in leadership, and the declining strength of opposition politics in Nigeria. He disclosed that he would once again vie for the presidency on the Labour Party’s ticket in 2027, but hinted this might be his last appearance on the ballot.

“I believe we should have a retirement age for politicians,” Obi said. “By 2027, I will be 65. If the presidency returns to the North in 2031, it may not come back to the South until 2039. I’ll be 77 by then. I wouldn’t want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything.”

His comments underscore a broader personal philosophy around leadership succession and youth involvement in governance. While expressing his willingness to step away from elective ambition, Obi emphasized that his political advocacy would not end. He pledged continued mentorship and material support to young Nigerians ready to pursue meaningful change in the country’s political landscape.

“Even if I’m not contesting, I will always support those of you who are committed to real change, with whatever resources I can provide,” he affirmed.

Confirming the authenticity of the video, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, stated it was recorded recently. “It’s a recent video, around last week, yes. But I can’t remember the exact day that it held,” he told journalists.

Beyond personal reflections, Obi used the opportunity to shine a spotlight on what he described as deliberate destabilization of opposition parties by the ruling administration. He accused the government of engineering internal strife within both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an effort to weaken Nigeria’s democratic checks and balances.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government. Quote me anywhere,” Obi asserted. According to him, strategic interference in party affairs is being used as a tool to derail opposition unity and effectiveness.

Drawing on historical precedent, he cited former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s commitment to political stability, recalling a time when Yar’Adua directly intervened to resolve party crises. “Back then, I went to President Yar’Adua. He called the INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and said he didn’t want any issues in any political party. The problems were fixed,” Obi recounted.

He lamented that today’s political climate lacks such commitment to democratic harmony. “But today, every party is facing one crisis or another — and it is deliberate,” he warned.

Emphasizing the critical role of a vibrant opposition in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, Obi warned that no meaningful reform would succeed without collective effort from the citizenry. He challenged Nigerians to defend the sanctity of their votes and resist attempts to erode the electoral process.

“Our democracy cannot thrive without strong opposition,” he said. “Those who benefit from the status quo will always resist change, but it is up to each of us to defend our votes and our future.”

Obi’s latest remarks come at a time of mounting frustration among voters over economic hardship, governance failures, and widespread political instability. His message appears tailored to inspire young voters while acknowledging the uphill task of transforming Nigeria’s entrenched political system.

While 2027 may mark the end of Obi’s presidential ambition, his words suggest a legacy rooted not only in electoral contests, but also in mentoring a new generation of political disruptors.