PETER OBI REMAINS IN LABOUR PARTY, NOT EYEING VP SLOT

Read Time:2 Minute, 43 Second

By Oduola F.A.

On the heels of speculations over a possible coalition among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Obidient Movement has firmly denied claims that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has been offered a vice-presidential slot with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Nana Kazaure, the movement described the report as “entirely baseless” and “imaginary to the author”.

“The Obidient Movement has been inundated with calls from our members within and outside the country, including other members of the public, regarding a media publication claiming that our principal, Peter Obi, has been offered a running mate position to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the new coalition being formed ahead of 2027.

“Even though the publication is imaginary to the author, we find it appropriate to react in view of possible far-reaching misconceptions in the public space,” the statement read.

‘Progress Than Power-Deals’
While acknowledging ongoing discussions with various political partners and stakeholders, the group insisted that such engagements are solely focused on addressing national challenges rather than power-sharing deals.

“Without any risk of contradiction, we would like to reiterate that Mr Obi has maintained that his objective and his involvement in a coalition is to provide a united front against and to tackle issues of bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out-of-school children, and the myriad of other problems daily afflicting the people of Nigeria,” the statement added.

“We want politics that is progressive, standing firmly with the people and serving the great people of Nigeria — not politics just for the sake of grabbing power.”

The movement further stressed that Mr Obi remains committed to the Labour Party, stating unequivocally, “At this point in time, Mr Peter Obi remains in the Labour Party, and if ever this changes, he will make that announcement himself.”

‘I’m In Coalition Against Poverty’
Earlier on Monday, Obi echoed a similar sentiment during a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa in Abuja, where he reaffirmed his commitment to issue-based politics.

“I am in a coalition against hunger, in coalition against poverty, coalition against bad state of health. Politics for me is not about position, it is about doing the right thing,” Obi said during the meeting.

“In this country, we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about. What we should be talking about is how we are going to educate the children.”

Dismissing reports that he has agreed to serve as a running mate in 2027, the former Anambra State governor described such rumours as part of a “politics of selfish ambitions detrimental to the growth of the country”.

Obi, who finished third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, has remained a central figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, with many analysts speculating that a coalition involving Obi and Atiku could pose a formidable challenge in 2027.

However, both Obi and his supporters continue to distance themselves from any arrangements that do not prioritise national interest.