JUST IN: Peter Obi Clears Air, Speaks On Merging With PDP, NNPP Ahead Of 2027 Election
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’ s (LP) presidential candidate in Nigeria’ s 2023 general elections, has clarified that no merger or alliance has been finalized with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’ s Party (NNPP), or any other political party. Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday morning, Obi addressed the state of the nation and refuted any claims of an existing agreement with these parties.
The former governor of Anambra State emphasized that while there have been speculations, no official agreement has been reached with any political group. However, he made a strong appeal to all patriotic Nigerians and political stakeholders to unite in 2027 to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Obi, the APC has grossly mismanaged the country’ s resources and left Nigeria in a dire state, both economically and socially.
Obi expressed his concern about the deteriorating security situation in the country, labeling it as unfortunate. He lamented the needless loss of lives caused by the growing menace of banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping for ransom. According to him, these challenges have persisted under the APC- led administration due to a lack of effective strategies and commitment to protecting the lives of citizens.
Highlighting the problem of corruption, Obi pointed out that it remains deeply entrenched in Nigeria’ s system of governance. He criticized the high cost of governance, which he said has significantly contributed to the alarming rise in public debt under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Obi accused government officials of mismanaging public funds, particularly through excessive foreign trips in 2024, which he described as a misuse of resources that could have been channeled into critical sectors.
Obi, participating in the presidential race for the first time, achieved an impressive result, earning 6, 101, 533 votes and coming in third. The NNPP candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, finished fourth. Kwankwaso managed to secure victory in Kano State, collecting a total of 1, 496, 687 votes nationwide.
Obi also highlighted an interesting political dynamic in the lead- up to the 2023 elections. Both he and Kwankwaso had been members of the PDP just months before the polls. However, they parted ways with the party due to irreconcilable differences, choosing instead to pursue their presidential ambitions through separate platforms. This decision significantly influenced the political landscape, introducing fresh dimensions to the election.
While Obi dismissed claims of a merger, he called on Nigerians to look forward to a collaborative effort among progressive- minded politicians in 2027. His vision is to build a formidable coalition capable of addressing the challenges plaguing the nation and providing an alternative to the APC’ s leadership. For Obi, the focus is not just on winning elections but on fostering a united front that prioritizes the well- being and development of Nigeria.
