The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has assured his supporters that he is fully ready to run in the 2027 presidential election.
He said he has it on good authority that the federal government does not want him to contest. However, he insisted that he will still run, even if the election is conducted in their “bedroom.”
Obi spoke in Uyo on Saturday at the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC themed, “Activating the PO Effect in ADC.” He called on Nigerians to work with him to rescue the country for future generations. According to him, young people will continue to suffer if the bad governance of the past decades is not corrected.
The former Anambra State governor said the present administration has borrowed more money than any previous government. He added that many of these loans will only be repaid between 2045 and 2050, a time when those who put the country into heavy debt may no longer be around.
Explaining why he left the Labour Party, Obi said, “Democracy must work, I left Labour party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognize its leadership, that the federal government don’t want me on ballot paper, but I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it holds in their bedroom and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit it for them.”
He stressed that Nigeria must get it right in 2027. In his words, election results must be transmitted online in real time, adding that “whoever fails to transmit results will be transmitted.”
Obi also promised that if elected, his government will invest strongly in education and healthcare. He said many developed countries became great because they deliberately invested in education. He added that he will work hard to lift people out of poverty, noting that reducing poverty will also help reduce crime.
The presidential hopeful said he plans to travel round the country and visit higher institutions to understand the real problems on ground. He said he wants to fix Nigeria now that he still has the energy to take on tough tasks. He also made it clear that those supporting his ambition must put the future and wellbeing of Nigerians first.
He pledged to fight corruption, saying it can drop by 60 percent if a leader and his family stay away from corrupt practices.
He added, “When I became governor of Anambra State, I advised my wife to forget about the office of first lady because we were not elected together, I approved over 100 C of Os of government lands but have none for myself or family. If you find any, petition me to appropriate authority.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr Tanko Yunusa, Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement worldwide, called on Nigerians to mobilise from every part of the country ahead of the 2027 general election.
He urged supporters to channel their energy into the African Democratic Congress, describing it as the platform for change and victory in 2027.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement, Dr Ben Smith, appealed to members to remain united in pursuing their goal, warning that division or factional crisis could destroy the dream of a new Nigeria.
