Peter Obi dismisses concerns over Jonathan’s possible 2027 Presidential bid

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has played down suggestions that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan could pose a challenge to his presidential ambitions in 2027.

Obi made the remarks on Tuesday after undergoing a presidential screening exercise lasting over two hours at the national secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja.

When asked about reports that Jonathan might contest the 2027 election on the Peoples Democratic Party platform, Obi said he was not worried about potential opponents.

“Actually, I’m not aware of that. But democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for,” he stated. “I’m not in any way going around looking for who and who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria.”

Obi outlined his priorities as national unity, security, economic revival, and fighting corruption. “This I will do by first uniting the country because it’s not a united country. We have to govern the country by the Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates federal character and inclusivity,” he said.

He added: “We want to see mothers no longer fear when their children go to school or work. We also want a country where we can travel all over Nigeria without fear.”

Describing the lengthy screening process as “democracy in action,” the former Labour Party presidential candidate insisted the exercise demonstrated the party’s dedication to due process and accountability. “NDC chooses to do things properly. So when we say this is going to be screening, it has to be done right,” he explained.

Obi also rejected claims that he had already emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate following consultations with leaders. “The party just opened up their expression of interest and nomination forms for people to buy. So there is no consensus yet. Although I bought the forms, I don’t know who else has bought. So until the party says I’m the only one who expressed interest, that’s it,” he said.

The former governor decried rising poverty and insecurity nationwide, noting that many Nigerians struggle daily to survive. “So many Nigerians today go to bed not knowing where the next meal will come from tomorrow. That must change,” he said.

“We must live in a country where people do not turn public assets and public wealth into private assets. So we must fight corruption to a standstill and make it work for everybody.”

He criticised politicians for prioritising elections over governance, adding: “Politicians are preoccupied with the next election when Nigerians are dying. That must stop.”

Obi arrived at the NDC secretariat around 6:45 pm wearing his trademark black kaftan and cap, accompanied by Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central. The screening committee, chaired by former Ebonyi Governor Sam Egwu, includes notable figures such as Buba Galadima, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Wole Adedayo, Udenta Udenta, and Henry Obaze.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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