Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, directly linking success in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections to his broader national ambition.
Obi made the declaration while campaigning for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the Federal Capital Territory, urging supporters to mobilise votes at the grassroots level as a foundation for his presidential project.
Addressing party faithful, Obi said support for the ADC in the AMAC poll would strengthen his political journey, stressing that the election was critical to his plans ahead of 2027.
He assured supporters of his full involvement in the race, describing himself as a frontline contender for the presidency.
Since aligning with the ADC, Obi has attracted growing support from members of the Obidient movement, many of whom have called on the party to adopt him as its presidential flagbearer.
However, the ADC’s spokesman, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, has cautioned supporters against divisive statements, urging unity and discipline as the party positions itself for future elections.
Speculation has also intensified around a possible Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance following Kwankwaso’s decision not to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Similarly, supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have revived calls for Obi to consider a vice-presidential role, reminiscent of past political arrangements.
Obi has firmly dismissed such suggestions, reiterating his determination to contest the 2027 election as the presidential candidate.
He again appealed to voters to back his preferred ADC candidate in the AMAC election, describing grassroots support as vital to the success of his wider political ambition.
Obi has consistently maintained that, if elected, he would serve only a single four-year term, insisting he would not remain in office beyond that period.
In a separate statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi criticised the state of the nation in a message titled “A Distressing January for Nigeria.”
He questioned the president’s frequent foreign trips, arguing that domestic governance should take priority amid mounting national challenges.
Obi cited worsening insecurity, including killings and widespread kidnappings involving vulnerable groups, noting that many farmers remain unable to return to their farmlands, thereby deepening food insecurity and rural poverty.
He also expressed concern over the education sector, pointing out that insecurity and industrial actions have kept many children out of school, including in Abuja.
Obi criticised what he described as misplaced priorities, questioning large expenditures on infrastructure projects while schools remain closed.
On power supply, he lamented repeated national grid collapses, noting that Nigeria experienced two such incidents in January alone.
Obi concluded that the country was facing a convergence of insecurity, economic hardship, failing infrastructure and social instability, accusing the political class of prioritising power struggles over governance.
He called for renewed commitment to addressing citizens’ daily struggles, insisting that meaningful change remained achievable.
