The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has confirmed that he will run again in the 2027 presidential election under the party’s banner.
Obi made this known in a viral video circulating on social media Saturday, where he addressed questions from supporters. When asked which party he would contest under in 2027, he responded, “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
The former Anambra State governor also addressed the internal crisis plaguing several political parties, blaming the government for fueling instability within opposition parties.
“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government—quote me anywhere,” Obi said in response to a question from a concerned youth. He recalled a similar experience during former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s tenure. “We had a problem in our party before. Yar’Adua was President. I went to him; he called the INEC Chairman then, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and told him, ‘I don’t want any problem in any party.’ We were forced to fix it.”
He added that today’s political instability is a result of deliberate interference by the current system. “These are some of the things I want to clean up if given the opportunity. Political parties must function properly—you can’t have a working democracy without a strong opposition.”
Obi urged Nigerians to take ownership of the democratic process by ensuring their votes count. While political parties may deploy agents to protect their interests at the polls, he emphasized that the real power lies with the people.
He also appealed to the youth and general electorate not to lose hope, acknowledging that meaningful change will be resisted by those benefiting from the current system. “Don’t be discouraged,” he said. “Positive change is always resisted by those who profit from the status quo.”
Obi concluded by advocating for a retirement age for politicians, stating that he would be 65 by the next election. “I don’t want to be contesting for public office in my 70s,” he said, signaling a commitment to leadership renewal.