Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, is predicted to have a strong chance of clinching the presidency in 2027, according to prominent political figures.
Dr. Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, made the bold statement at a Good Governance Symposium held in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Yunusa, a key figure in the movement supporting Peter Obi, expressed optimism that Obi would secure victory in the 2027 election. He pointed to Obi’s proven track record and credibility, emphasising that the challenges faced in the 2023 elections, including alleged electoral fraud, would not be repeated.
“We are confident that history will not repeat itself. In 2023, Obi was denied victory through electoral fraud. But this time, we are prepared,” Yunusa stated.
He revealed that the Obidient Movement would push for urgent electoral reforms to ensure a free and fair process in 2027. He added that the movement would have enough agents at polling units and advocate for a change in the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman.
Yunusa also criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance since assuming office, claiming that the current administration has failed the North, the East, and even the West. He emphasized that Obi’s leadership potential made him the right candidate to lead the country in 2027.
“Since Tinubu has failed all regions, Obi is the best candidate to move Nigeria forward,” Yunusa said.
At the same event, Professor Pat Utomi, a respected political economist and the keynote speaker at the symposium, also expressed his belief that Obi could be Nigeria’s next president. Utomi argued that past political leaders have failed to provide the kind of leadership needed for the country to thrive.
“All other avenues have failed to produce a good president for Nigeria. The next option is to push for a movement like the Obidient Movement to make the necessary changes,” Utomi said.
Utomi also emphasized the importance of sacrifice in the movement, calling on Nigerians to unite for a common cause.
“This movement is about sacrifice. Together, we can create a new Nigeria,” Utomi declared.
The Good Governance Symposium was organized by the Obidient Movement in partnership with various support groups in Anambra State. It aimed to chart a new course for the movement in the South-East and strengthen its impact across the country.
Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, convener of the Peter Obi Support Network and chairman of the symposium’s planning committee, explained that the event was focused on rebranding and repositioning the movement for greater strategic development.
“This symposium is to strengthen the Obidient Movement in the South-East and make sure it has a more impactful presence in Nigeria’s future political landscape,” Ezeoke said.
Several Labour Party governorship aspirants also attended the symposium, including Chief Valentine Ozigbo, Chief John Nwosu, and Chief Ikenna Azomcine. The aspirants all echoed the need for a change in Anambra State, stressing that the state deserved better leadership.
“We need to change the face of Anambra state. The time for transformation is now,” said Chief Ozigbo, one of the Labour Party’s leading figures in the region.
The Obidient Movement, which played a significant role in Peter Obi’s presidential campaign in 2023, has continued to grow in strength. The movement’s members are determined to see Obi elected as president in 2027, and they are working tirelessly to achieve that goal.
The group’s success in rallying support across Nigeria is seen as a testament to the growing desire for change among Nigerians.