The Labour Party has rejected growing speculation that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might step down in favour of a political coalition or rival aspirant, declaring that such a move would be a betrayal of the hope millions of Nigerians have invested in his candidacy.
Reacting to recent debates over possible opposition alliances, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, said that any attempt to force Obi out of the race would effectively crush the aspirations of Nigerians seeking a new political direction.
“Forcing Peter Obi to withdraw from the race is to take away 90 per cent of the hope of Nigerians for redemption and a new beginning,” Akeni said.
He dismissed suggestions of compromise, insisting that Obi and the wider ‘Obidient’ Movement remain resolute in contesting the 2027 presidential election, regardless of the formation or intentions of any opposition coalition.
“Our motto is forward ever, backward never,” Akeni declared, noting that while the Labour Party welcomes collaboration, it will not subordinate its ideals or candidates to the ambitions of others.
“There is no substitute for the ideology of the Labour Party. We are going head-on for the presidency if the right decision is not taken by the coalition.”
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Akeni also made a direct appeal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him to prioritise national interest over personal ambition by supporting Peter Obi’s presidential bid.
“Let Atiku think of what is best for his epitaph,” he said. “Would he like to be remembered as the man who sacrificed Nigeria for his ambition, yet didn’t get it, or the man who sacrificed his ambition for Nigeria and took it from the cliff to the pathway of modern progress?”
Akeni referenced the “AGOBI’27” initiative—Atiku Givus Obi 2027—a coalition formed by stakeholders seeking to persuade Atiku to support Obi as a unifying southern candidate.
Also speaking on the matter, Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, reaffirmed that the 2027 presidency should remain in the South under Nigeria’s informal zoning principle.
“As we speak today, it is still the turn of the South, whether we like it or not,” Tanko said. “If you want to change a southern candidate, you can only replace him with another southern candidate.”
He warned that any attempt to shift power back to the North in 2027 “will create a break in the unity of this country,” calling on political actors to support a southern candidate acceptable across board.
Tanko restated that the movement is firmly behind Peter Obi and is not considering any alternative.
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“We believe he has the quality, capacity, ability, character, and compassion to make things work. Wherever Mr Peter Obi is going, we will go too.”
The remarks come amid continued public speculation about a possible merger between opposition heavyweights Atiku and Obi, who both contested the 2023 election on separate platforms—PDP and Labour Party respectively.
Although Atiku recently clarified that he is open to supporting a younger candidate if chosen through a transparent primary, he also denied reports suggesting he had agreed to step down for any specific aspirant.
With talks of forming a strong opposition front to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 intensifying, neither Atiku nor Obi’s camp has committed to a joint ticket, leaving Nigeria’s opposition landscape fluid and politically uncertain.
