The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has recently indicated his willingness to work with other political figures for the 2027 elections, signaling an openness to collaboration across political lines.
In an interview with News Central, Peter Obi revealed that he is prepared to collaborate with key figures, such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Despite the fierce competition from previous elections, Obi maintains that his main focus is the welfare of Nigerian citizens rather than merely winning political power.
During the interview, Obi stressed that any future political partnership must prioritize poverty alleviation and the betterment of Nigerian lives. He firmly stated, “I am open to working with anyone committed to eradicating poverty and addressing the nation’s key issues, but I will not engage in any alliances purely for the sake of state capture or electoral victory.”
He elaborated on this stance, emphasizing his commitment to improving education and addressing the growing number of out-of-school children across the country. Obi remarked, “I will not align with anyone whose goals are not in line with the nation's development. I need to hear clear strategies for addressing these critical issues, such as how we plan to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind, and how we will work to reintegrate millions of children currently out of school.”
When asked about the possibility of serving as vice president under another candidate, Obi responded candidly. He expressed that his main objective is to see Nigeria thrive, stating that he would accept the role of vice president only if it would benefit the country and he believed the individual he partnered with could perform the duties of president better than himself.
He clarified his position, “To be frank, I’m not desperate to become Nigeria’s president. What I am desperate for is to see Nigeria functioning as it should. If someone else can deliver better results for the nation, I would willingly step back.”
Despite discussions surrounding potential collaborations, Peter Obi reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party.
He stated firmly, “I remain committed to the Labour Party. Any negotiations or discussions of partnerships will have to be rooted in the welfare of the people and must have clear objectives aimed at national progress.”
