Obi Recommits to Labour Party Amid Coalition Rumors, Hints at Final Presidential Run in 2027
In a dramatic reversal that quells weeks of speculation, former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Labour Party (LP).
This announcement comes amidst persistent rumors of his possible defection and involvement in a broader opposition coalition.
In a video circulating across verified Labour Party WhatsApp platforms, Obi addressed a group of young supporters, categorically reaffirming his loyalty to the Labour Party and dismissing speculation about abandoning the platform that propelled him to national prominence in 2023.
“I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” Obi stated, shutting down speculation of an imminent switch.
The declaration marks a critical pivot in Nigeria’s political narrative, as recent reports suggested Obi might join forces with opposition heavyweights such as Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His reaffirmation of commitment to the LP appears to pour cold water on those merger speculations—at least for now.
But the former Anambra State governor did not stop at party loyalty.
He launched a blistering critique of the current administration, accusing it of orchestrating internal crises in both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a means of destabilizing the opposition.
“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” Obi alleged, recalling how the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua once intervened constructively in party affairs.
“But today, there are problems in all the parties. These are deliberate crises engineered by the system.”
Positioning himself once again as a reformist, Obi promised sweeping political overhauls if elected, including ensuring stronger opposition structures, electoral transparency, and functional party democracy, elements he insists are under threat in Nigeria’s current political climate.
“These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity,” he said. “You can’t have a democracy without a strong opposition.”
Obi also called for constitutional reforms, including the implementation of age limits for elective offices, as part of his broader vision to infuse youthful energy into governance. Notably, he disclosed that he would be 65 by the next general election, suggesting that 2027 could be his final run for the presidency.
“I don’t want to be contesting elections in my 70s,” he said, signaling a possible sunset to his political ambition should he fall short again.
While Obi’s renewed candidacy energizes his loyal base, political analysts say this “U-turn” might also complicate opposition strategy, especially for those banking on a united front against the APC in 2027. Whether this declaration strengthens or fragments the anti-APC movement remains to be seen.
For now, Peter Obi is back in the race, and with fire in his rhetoric, reform on his lips, and the weight of expectations on his shoulders, 2027 just became a lot more interesting.
