In a recent interview on New Central TV, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, expressed his willingness to consider the role of Vice President in Nigeria, but only under certain conditions. This revelation comes as Nigeria gears up for the next general elections in 2027, a crucial period that Obi believes requires strong leadership to drive positive change in the country.
Obi, who previously served as the governor of Anambra State, emphasized that his primary focus is not on personal ambition but on the progress of Nigeria. “Quite frankly, for me, I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work,” he stated. He further explained that if he encounters individuals who are better suited to lead, he would contemplate stepping into the Vice Presidential role.
During the interview, Obi also addressed the opinions of his supporters who have advised him not to run in 2027. He encouraged them to take the initiative themselves, saying, “Offer yourself. And we will not put everybody on a scale.” This statement reflects his commitment to collective responsibility and the need for capable leadership in Nigeria.
Despite his openness to collaboration, Obi made it clear that he has no intention of abandoning the Labour Party. He stated, “Yes, I would be here (at Labour Party), and if anybody is coming for us to negotiate or to come together, he must tell me what his purposes are.” Obi is adamant that any political alliance must focus on meaningful issues, particularly the education of children. He challenged potential partners to articulate their plans for ensuring that no child is left behind and how to reintegrate millions of out-of-school children into the educational system.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi secured third place with over 6 million votes, accounting for approximately 25.4% of the total votes cast. The election was ultimately won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered nearly 8.8 million votes (37.6%), while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed closely with about 7 million votes (29.9%).
