Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has declared that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he will not be intimidated by the political strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which currently controls many state governments.
Obi made the declaration on Friday while addressing his supporters during a political engagement in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The former governor said despite what he described as several attempts to discourage him from joining the race, he remains determined to run in the next presidential election.
According to him, the presence of about 30 APC governors across the country will not stop him from seeking the nation’s top office if the election is free and fair.
While speaking to supporters, Obi said he had noticed political moves aimed at discouraging him from participating in the 2027 election.
However, he insisted that such efforts would not succeed.
He told the gathering that the only thing he wants is a Nigeria that works for everyone.
“I have always said it that I am not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I am desperate to see a Nigeria that works,” Obi said.
He also called for a free and fair electoral process, adding that Nigerians should be allowed to decide their leaders without interference.
According to him, if the election is conducted properly, the outcome will reflect the true wishes of the people.
“With their 30 governors, let them make the election free and fair and see who wins,” he said.
During his speech, Obi expressed concern about the current state of the country, saying Nigeria faces serious economic and social challenges.
He said many citizens are struggling with poverty and rising living costs, even as some wealthy individuals continue to seek more benefits from public programmes.
According to him, the system has become unfair to the poor.
Obi argued that Nigeria needs leadership that focuses on fairness and equal opportunity.
“This country is skewed against the poor. We want a country where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.
The former governor added that his political ambition is driven by the desire to see Nigeria become a nation where hard work and merit are rewarded.
Obi also spoke about his political journey after the 2023 presidential election.
He previously contested the presidency under the platform of the Labour Party in the last general election.
However, internal disputes within the party leadership later created legal battles over control of the party structure.
Obi said the party spent a long period in court over the leadership crisis and that several court judgments had favoured his group.
Despite these rulings, he claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially refused to recognise the decisions. He said the situation changed after he left the party.
“You all know that I am now in ADC,” Obi told his supporters.
He explained that he decided to leave the Labour Party after the prolonged internal crisis.
According to him, the electoral body later recognised the same court rulings that had earlier been ignored.
Obi emerged as one of the major contenders in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.
Running under the Labour Party, he gained strong support from many young voters and urban residents.
The election, however, was won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, who was sworn in as Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023.
After the election, Obi and his party challenged the results in court, alleging irregularities in the voting process.
The legal battle went through different stages of the judiciary before the courts eventually upheld the victory of Tinubu.
Despite the outcome, Obi has remained active in national discussions about governance, economic reforms and the welfare of Nigerians.
Although the next presidential election is still some time away, political activities and early declarations are already beginning to shape the conversation about 2027.
His supporters believe he represents an alternative vision for governance, while critics argue that building a strong political structure across the country will be key to any future electoral success.
For now, Obi insists that his focus is on advocating for a better Nigeria.
He said the country must move toward a system where opportunities are available to all citizens, regardless of their background.
