No Merger Agreements in Place
Peter Obi, who ran for president under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, has clarified that no merger deal has been struck with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political entity as the 2027 elections approach. This statement was made during a press conference in Abuja where Obi discussed the current state of the nation.
Call for Unity Against APC
Obi urged all those passionate about Nigeria’s future to unite in the upcoming 2027 elections to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He criticized the APC for what he described as gross mismanagement of the country’s resources, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to steer Nigeria towards better governance.
Critique on National Security and Governance
He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s security landscape, highlighting the tragic losses due to banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping. Obi also pointed out the persistent high levels of corruption and the escalating costs of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which have significantly increased the nation’s public debt.
Allegations of Misuse of Public Funds
Obi accused government officials of misallocating public funds, particularly through excessive international travel in 2024, labeling it as willful mismanagement.
2023 Election Outcomes
In the last presidential election, Tinubu emerged as the winner, capturing 12 out of Nigeria’s 36 states with a total of 8,794,726 votes, surpassing his closest competitor, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, by nearly two million votes. Atiku, with six presidential runs under his belt, garnered 6,984,520 votes. Meanwhile, Obi, in his first presidential run, managed to secure 6,101,533 votes. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, a former governor of Kano State, finished fourth but won his home state with 1,496,687 votes.
Political Party Shifts
Both Obi and Kwankwaso had affiliations with the PDP until shortly before the 2023 elections, leaving due to fundamental disagreements within the party. This background adds layers to the current political landscape as no formal alliances have been confirmed for the upcoming election cycle.
