Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has made it clear he will not run on a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Reassuring his supporters both in Nigeria and across the globe, Obi confirmed he is firmly in the race for the 2027 presidential election and even indicated he is prepared to serve a single four-year term if elected.
Addressing speculations swirling around a possible alliance with Atiku, Obi categorically denied ever holding discussions about a joint presidential ticket. In a live session on X Space (formerly Twitter Space) held Sunday night, he answered questions from hundreds of supporters, underlining that he remains committed to contesting independently in 2027.
His position was further reinforced by a statement from Ibrahim Umar, spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), which was released in Abuja on Monday.
Open to Coalition, But Only to Rescue Nigeria
Obi did, however, acknowledge that he’s open to coalition talks—so long as the goal is to save Nigeria from its deepening crises. He stressed that any alliance he considers must be rooted in finding real solutions to insecurity, economic decline, and hunger.
“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue and Zamfara, about how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, and how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… count me out,” Obi declared. “Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it.”
Why Obi is Eyeing Just a Single Term
During the virtual interaction, Obi suggested that he would be willing to lead Nigeria for just four years, underscoring his belief in building sustainable institutions that don’t revolve around individuals. According to political analysts, this could appeal to Nigerians tired of endless election cycles and long-term power struggles.
Growing Calls for a Unified Opposition
His comments come amid increasing calls for Nigeria’s opposition leaders—including Atiku, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others—to unite under a single platform to challenge the APC in 2027. While coalition talks have seen momentum, especially around the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a common platform, Obi’s latest remarks suggest he remains cautious about alliances that lack a clear agenda for national rescue.
What This Means for Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
Obi’s firm declaration puts to rest widespread rumours of a joint Atiku-Obi ticket, sharpening the political field ahead of 2027. As insecurity, inflation, and economic hardship continue to bite, voters will be closely watching how Obi frames his campaign promises — especially given his pledge to serve only one term and prioritize urgent national reforms.