Njikoka, Anambra State – March 6, 2026
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election, stating firmly that he will not be deterred by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) controlling a large number of state governors or by what he described as orchestrated efforts to discourage his participation.
Speaking to thousands of supporters during an empowerment programme and town hall meeting in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday, Obi insisted that his ambition is not driven by personal desire for power but by a deep conviction that Nigeria is in urgent need of redemption and a complete reset.
“Nigeria has collapsed and already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are hungry and greedy. They have everything they need, but still scavenging for more,” Obi said.
He illustrated the moral decay and inequality in the country by pointing to the behaviour observed at empowerment events: “This is an empowerment programme, but you will be surprised that many well-to-do persons will come here to struggle for things they have no need for. Go to their compound, you will see better vehicles than the ones they are struggling for.”
Obi argued that the current system is structurally skewed against ordinary Nigerians and the poor, making it nearly impossible for the “son of a nobody” to rise without powerful connections. He positioned his candidacy as a mission to create a fairer society where merit and hard work can triumph over privilege and patronage.
“I have always said it that I’m not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I’m desperate to see a Nigeria that works,” he emphasised.
The former Anambra governor used the occasion to address questions about his recent departure from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025. He explained that prolonged internal leadership disputes within the LP had reached the courts, where his faction secured several favourable judgments. Despite these rulings, he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to recognise them until after his exit.
“When I left on 31 December, they recognised the same orders they were rejecting,” Obi stated, suggesting that INEC’s eventual compliance was politically motivated and timed to coincide with his departure.
Obi directly addressed the APC’s growing numerical advantage at the state level, noting that the party now controls 31 out of 36 governorships. Rather than viewing this as a deterrent, he challenged the ruling party to allow a truly free and fair contest.
“I want to tell them that with their 30 governors, they should make the election free and fair and see who wins,” he declared. “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.”
He alleged that various constitutional and electoral manoeuvres in recent months have been designed specifically to block his path to the presidency, but insisted he remains undeterred.
Obi’s declaration comes amid intense early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, with multiple parties already engaging in realignments, defections and coalition talks. His move to the ADC—widely regarded as a relatively small but credible platform—has sparked speculation about potential alliances with other opposition figures and parties disillusioned with both the APC and the Labour Party.
Supporters at the Njikoka event received his announcement with loud cheers and chants of “Obidient till 2027.” Many attendees described the speech as a clear signal that Obi intends to remain a central figure in the opposition space despite the APC’s dominance at the sub-national level.
The APC has not yet issued an official response to Obi’s comments, though party spokespersons have previously described his criticisms as “recycled rhetoric” lacking concrete policy alternatives.
Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, which came third according to official INEC results (though he disputes the outcome and has ongoing legal challenges), galvanised a large youth movement under the “Obidient” banner. Analysts expect him to retain significant support among urban voters, young Nigerians and diaspora communities if he contests again.
The former governor concluded his remarks by reiterating that his ultimate goal is not personal power but the transformation of Nigeria into a country that works for everyone—especially the poor, the marginalised and the “son of a nobody.”
The 2027 presidential race is now firmly underway, with Obi’s declaration serving as one of the clearest and most defiant opening statements of intent from any major political figure to date.
