There are strong indications that 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP); Peter Obi, may become the flag bearer of the coalition party (ADC) in 2027 polls. Sources within the coalition, who spoke to Nigeria Project, but pleaded not to be mention said, the coalition may settle for the former Anambra State Governor.
A source said, “I can tell you authoritatively that if not for unforeseen circumstances, we may settle for Peter Obi. As at today, nobody has that muzzle to defeat the incumbent President, Bola Tinubu, except Peter Obi.”
Also, one of the leaders of the coalition speaking to Nigeria Project, who doesn’t also want to be named said, the leaders of the coalition are looking at the direction of Peter Obi. Asked if it will be possible for others in the coalition, who have interest in vying for the number one plum job to bury their ambition, the source said, “politics is about negotiation.” He added that for the coalition to have good outing, Peter Obi remains that attractive commodity to Nigerians.
“As at today, Peter Obi remains the most attractive politician before Nigerians. If we want good outing in 2027, Peter Obi is the man to be. Look at the surprise he pulled in 2023 despite the general saying that he didn’t’ have structure. We may settle for him,” he said.
In the same vein, former Jigawa State Governor and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his readiness to support Mr. Peter Obi in the 2027 Presidential election if he emerges as the standard bearer of the coalition.
This is just as the Middle Belt Forum has also said they have no choice than stick with Peter Obi noting that the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election has a track record of keeping to promises.
Lamido, while responding to a question as to whether he would support Obi, who has offered to spend a single term of four- years if he wins the 2027 presidential election, said, “If the coalition produces Peter Obi or anyone else committed to rescuing Nigeria, I will support them.
The former Jigawa State governor said, leadership should be about competence and vision, not geography. What has the North gained from producing the most presidents if the region remains underdeveloped? I’m open to any arrangement that can confront the APC and rescue Nigeria. I’ll support those who share that goal.
Lamido further explained that zoning between the North and South was a creation of the PDP designed to solve a specific problem which was the annulment of the June 12 election. According to him, “it was meant to be a healing mechanism, a temporary measure to restore trust. But now, it has become an albatross.”
Peter Obi has track record of keeping promises, says Middle Belt Forum
On its part, The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, says since the North lacks options they might stick with Peter Obi and his promise to serve one term in office if elected President of the country in 2027, given his track record of keeping to promises. The National President of MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu maintained that the North would have no choice but to support a candidate from the South that they could trust since any move to produce a candidate from the North might not fly. He said that they could support Peter Obi based on his promise or former President Goodluck Jonathan if he is allowed, and the fact that the law would permit him only one term.
Dr. Pogu said, “I want to say that a drowning person wouldn’t mind even holding onto a straw thinking that it will save him. So, in the situation which the North finds itself in, I do not think that their choices are many. Getting a Northerner to contest is a problem and they must have to trust somebody that has a track record of consistency which Peter Obi seems to have.
“But the issue now is, in spite of his pronouncement, in spite of the fact that they may extract a written agreement from him, will they faithfully carry out their support promises. That is the issue, because some of them could still say let us try our Atiku again or try one of those ones in the North, but they know that it is not going to sell, they know that very well. So they may still go for somebody in the South, either somebody who will promise them like Peter Obi or somebody like former President Jonathan if it is allowed, knowing that he cannot go beyond one term. So these are the options they have, because when people lack options, of course any option is a good option.”
