The Labour Party has firmly denied rumours that Peter Obi, its 2027 presidential candidate, may withdraw from the race in favour of any coalition or rival candidate.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, described such speculations as false and damaging to the aspirations of millions of Nigerians seeking change.
“Forcing Peter Obi to step down is like stripping Nigerians of 90% of their hope for national redemption and a new beginning,” Akeni said.
He emphasized that Obi and the Obidient Movement remain fully committed to contesting the 2027 election.
“Our motto is ‘forward never, backward never.’ There’s no alternative to the Labour Party’s ideology.”
Akeni also made a direct appeal to Atiku Abubakar, urging him to put the nation first and support Obi.
“Let Atiku consider his legacy. Does he want to be remembered as someone who sacrificed Nigeria for personal ambition or as a patriot who stepped aside for progress?”
He referenced the AGOBI ’27 (Atiku Givus Obi 2027) movement — a coalition advocating for Atiku to back Obi as a unifying opposition candidate.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, also reaffirmed their stance, citing Nigeria’s unwritten rotational presidency agreement.
“It is still the South’s turn. Replacing Obi should only mean replacing him with another southern candidate. Otherwise, it risks fracturing national unity.”
Tanko insisted Obi remains the most capable candidate.
“He has the character, competence, and compassion Nigeria needs. Wherever Obi goes, we go.”
This comes a week after Atiku, in a statement via his media adviser Paul Ibe, denied any plans to step aside. He clarified that his BBC Hausa comments were misinterpreted.
“Atiku only said he’d support a younger candidate if such a person emerges through a transparent primary,” Ibe said.
Despite public denials from both camps, talks of a possible opposition alliance between Atiku and Obi remain ongoing, as parties explore strategies to avoid splitting votes like in 2023 — a factor believed to have benefited President Bola Tinubu.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
