Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has declared his intention to run again in 2027, dismissing what he described as efforts to keep him off the ballot.
Speaking in Uyo on Saturday at the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC themed “Activating the PO Effect in ADC,” Obi told supporters he remained undeterred despite alleged resistance from the federal government.
He said he had it “on good authority” that the authorities do not want him to contest, but vowed to press ahead regardless.
” Democracy must work, I left Labour party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognize its leadership, that the federal government don’t want me on ballot paper, but I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it holds in their bedroom and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit it for them.”
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Obi urged supporters to rally behind him, arguing that Nigeria’s future depends on collective action. He warned that decades of what he termed poor governance would continue to burden future generations if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
According to him, Nigeria must get it right in 2027, election results must be transmitted online in real time and whoever fails to transmit results will be transmitted”.
Obi explained his departure from the Labour Party, citing internal leadership issues and concerns over recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said remaining in the party would have jeopardized his chances of appearing on the ballot.
He called on Nigerians to channel their political energy into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as the new vehicle for political transformation.
The former governor criticized the current administration’s borrowing record, alleging that it has accumulated more loans than previous governments combined.
He argued that repayment obligations stretching to 2045 and 2050 would unfairly burden citizens long after current leaders have left office.
Outlining his vision, Obi pledged heavy investment in education and healthcare, describing them as foundations for national development.
He maintained that countries that achieved lasting progress did so through deliberate focus on human capital.
He also promised to tackle poverty and reduce criminality, saying economic inclusion would be central to his agenda.
On corruption, Obi argued that leadership integrity is key to reform, claiming the problem could be reduced by “60 percent once a leader and his family has nothing to do with corruption.”
Drawing from his tenure in office, he added: ” When I became governor of Anambra State, I advised my wife to forget about the office of first lady because we were not elected together, I approved over 100 C of Os of government lands but have none for myself or family. If you find any, petition me to appropriate authority.”
Also addressing the gathering, OBIDIENT Movement Worldwide Coordinator, Dr Tanko Yunusa, urged supporters to mobilize across the country ahead of 2027 and consolidate their efforts within the ADC.
Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the movement, Dr Ben Smith, appealed for unity, warning that internal divisions could derail what he described as the dream of a new Nigeria.
Obi concluded by reaffirming his readiness to tour the country and engage directly with citizens and institutions, saying he wants to help fix Nigeria while he still has the strength to undertake the task.
