Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has declared that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, stating that he will not be intimidated by the large number of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, said several attempts had been made to discourage him from joining the race, but insisted he would not be deterred.
He made the declaration on Friday while addressing supporters in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to Obi, Nigeria is in urgent need of redemption, describing the country as one that has “collapsed” and requires urgent reforms.
“Nigeria has collapsed and is already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are hungry and greedy. They have everything they need but are still scavenging for more,” he said.
The former governor explained that his ambition to contest the presidency was driven by the desire to see a functional nation rather than personal desperation for power.
“I have always said that I’m not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I’m desperate to see a Nigeria that works,” Obi stated.
He further revealed that he is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that his exit from the Labour Party followed prolonged leadership disputes.
According to him, although court judgments had favoured his faction during the crisis in the Labour Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially failed to recognise the rulings.
Obi alleged that certain constitutional changes and political maneuvers were aimed at preventing him from contesting the 2027 election.
“You see all the things they have been tinkering with in the constitution, some of them are because they don’t want me to contest. But I want to tell them that with their 30 governors, they should make the election free and fair and see who wins,” he said.
He insisted that regardless of the obstacles, he would remain in the race.
“I want to announce to you all that no matter what they do, I must contest the election. Let them declare a free and fair contest, bring the ball to the middle of the field and declare it started, and let’s see what happens,” Obi added.
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