Abuja, December 29, 2025 – Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has unequivocally confirmed his ambition to run for the presidency of Nigeria in the 2027 general elections, emphatically rejecting any suggestion that he would settle for the vice-presidential slot.
The declaration came during an extended and highly engaging interactive session on X Spaces on Sunday night, December 28, where thousands of supporters, political observers, and journalists joined to hear directly from the man whose 2023 campaign galvanised millions of young Nigerians under the "Obidient" movement.
When a participant directly asked whether he would consider running as vice president in 2027, possibly in a coalition ticket, Obi responded with passionate clarity, leaving no room for ambiguity.
“So I am flying all over the world to learn how to govern in order to be vice? I am not God,” he began. “I am going all over the world… I went to Indonesia, I spent one week to 10 days even going outside Jakarta to go and see the President. Do you visit the President to learn how to be vice? I am not God. I might not even be alive in 2027. Are you aware? One of the best candidates in Brazil died in a chopper. I am happy to God that I am alive. If I tell you the things I encounter, you will not believe it. Every single day.”
Obi alluded to personal challenges and restrictions he has faced, stating, “Do you know how many times I want to travel out of this country and I am not allowed to travel?” While he did not elaborate on the specific incidents, the remark hinted at lingering issues from his post-2023 election legal battles and political friction with certain authorities.
He then delivered a resounding affirmation of his presidential ambition: “Peter Obi is contesting for the office of the President. I am not God. God knows tomorrow. I am most qualified and I tell anybody I will change this country. I have seen the experience, I have studied and followed it. That is how I work. I have the capacity, competence and compassion.”
The statement drew thunderous applause and cheers from participants in the virtual space, with many flooding the timeline with messages of support and renewed commitment to his cause.
Throughout the nearly three-hour session, Obi repeatedly emphasised his preparedness for the highest office, pointing to his extensive international study tours focused on governance models, economic transformation, and poverty alleviation. He recounted recent visits to countries like Egypt, Singapore, Indonesia, and several European nations, where he engaged leaders, studied infrastructure projects, industrial policies, and education systems—all with the aim of adapting successful strategies for Nigeria.
“I don’t just talk; I go and see things for myself,” he said. “I have studied how nations moved from consumption to production. I know what it takes to turn Nigeria around because I have done it on a smaller scale in Anambra. I left money in the treasury, I built schools, I fixed hospitals, I attracted investments—all without borrowing excessively.”
Obi contrasted his approach with what he described as the current leadership’s focus on consumption rather than production, heavy borrowing, and lack of clear economic direction. He reiterated his long-standing critique that Nigeria’s greatest resources are its human capital and fertile land, both of which have been neglected.
The former governor also addressed ongoing speculation about opposition coalition arrangements ahead of 2027. While acknowledging discussions with various political forces, including elements within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other platforms, he maintained that his personal ambition remains the presidency. He expressed respect for other opposition leaders but made it clear that he would not play second fiddle.
Supporters interpreted the declaration as a definitive signal that Obi intends to lead any potential unified opposition ticket rather than accept a subordinate role. Many "Obidients" immediately began trending hashtags such as #PeterObi2027 and #NigeriaWillWorkAgain, reaffirming their loyalty and readiness to mobilise once more.
Political analysts see Obi’s statement as a strategic move to consolidate his base early and set the tone for coalition negotiations. By firmly ruling out the vice-presidential option, he positions himself as the natural leader of any broad opposition front seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu, who is widely expected to seek re-election.
Obi’s 2023 performance—securing over six million votes, winning Lagos and Abuja outright, and finishing strongly in many southern and middle-belt states—demonstrated his ability to break traditional ethno-religious voting patterns. His campaign’s emphasis on competence, frugality, and youth inclusion resonated particularly with urban voters, women, and first-time voters.
Since the 2023 election, Obi has maintained a high public profile through frequent media engagements, international speaking invitations, and the Peter Obi Foundation’s humanitarian work. He has consistently criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies without adequate palliatives and the floating of the naira, which he argues have deepened poverty and inflation.
In the X Spaces session, he promised that a Peter Obi presidency would prioritise pulling millions out of poverty, investing heavily in education and health, securing the nation, and shifting the economy from consumption to production and export. “We will move from sharing to creating wealth,” he declared.
The session also touched on personal reflections, with Obi expressing gratitude for surviving what he described as numerous threats and challenges since entering national politics. His mention of travel restrictions and near-misses underscored the high stakes of Nigerian politics and his determination to press forward regardless.
As the conversation drew to a close, Obi urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to remain hopeful and engaged. “Do not give up on this country. Nigeria will work again, but only if we choose the right leadership,” he said.
With this latest declaration, Peter Obi has formally thrown his hat into the ring for 2027, setting the stage for what promises to be another fiercely contested presidential race. Political parties, coalition builders, and supporters now await his next moves—whether he remains with a restructured Labour Party, joins an existing platform, or helps birth a new one.
One thing, however, is clear: Peter Obi is not aiming to be vice president. He believes he is the most qualified person to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges, and he intends to contest for the highest office in the land.
