Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for clearly defined terms, internal clarity and shared commitments among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the call in a video interview sighted by newsmen on Thursday, stressing that issues such as rotation of political offices and the informal agreements that guide them must be properly articulated to prevent future conflicts.
He expressed support for the ADC-led coalition for 2027 but insisted that fundamental principles must be agreed upon to earn the trust of Nigerians.
According to Obi, opposition figures are not newcomers to politics, and the political class must present fresh ideas capable of restoring public confidence.
He noted that leaders like former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar possess the experience to guide the coalition but emphasised that the coalition must define its purpose beyond replacing the current administration.
Obi said: “Today, I’m a member of the Labour Party, and I subscribe to the coalition, ADC Coalition for the 2027 election. I believe in it. But as much as I believe in it, I need to know the fundamentals that we all agree to respect. What are we going to do for the average Nigerian person?
“Yes, I respect all those who are leaders there—our Chairman, David Mark, and people like my leader, Atiku. But there are still fine lines we need to respect. We must sit down and talk about where we’re driving the country to.”
He stressed the need for new ideas, new perspectives, and a clear alternative built on competence, character, capacity, commitment and compassion.
“We can’t just say, ‘We don’t like what these people are doing; let them go.’ If they go, what is the alternative?” he asked, recalling the 2015 transition.
Obi also highlighted the need to formalise informal arrangements, especially regarding the presidency and rotation of offices, to avoid future confusion.
“Today, we have unsigned agreements about the presidency and rotation. All these things need to be organised so we don’t create confusion for the future,” he said.
He insisted that Nigeria’s political future must take precedence over personal ambitions.
“I am not desperate to become the president of Nigeria. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. I want to see what it is that they are offering,” he added.
Obi maintained that if Nigerians are determined, meaningful political change can be organised even within months of an election.
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