Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has confirmed that there are no merger deals in place with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political party. Obi made this statement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he addressed the state of the nation.
Obi emphasized that despite discussions within the political sphere, no formal agreement or coalition had been reached with other parties as of now. He urged Nigerians who are passionate about the future of the country to unite and collectively work towards defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, which he criticized for mismanaging the nation’s resources.
“The current government has mismanaged our resources, and it is essential for all of us who care about Nigeria to come together to secure a better future,” Obi said. He also expressed deep concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation, which he described as “unfortunate,” pointing out the unnecessary loss of lives due to banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping for ransom.
Furthermore, Obi lamented the persistent corruption within the country, which he believes continues to undermine Nigeria’s development. He also criticized the government’s high cost of governance, leading to an alarming rise in public debt under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to Obi, government officials have squandered public funds, citing frequent and unnecessary foreign travels as a significant contributor to the financial mismanagement.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi secured an impressive 6,101,533 votes, finishing third behind Tinubu of the APC, who won 8,794,726 votes, and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who garnered 6,984,520 votes. Obi’s support base grew substantially, especially among young voters, who praised his campaign for its focus on issues like good governance, security, and youth empowerment.
Obi, alongside his 2023 presidential competitors, Atiku and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, left the PDP months before the election, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite his strong performance in the last election, Obi reiterated his commitment to pursuing a better future for Nigeria in the coming elections and encouraged unity and participation from all Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor ended his remarks by urging the political class to prioritize the people’s welfare and the nation’s progress, focusing on solutions to critical issues like security, corruption, and economic reform.
