The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is confident that Peter Obi, who ran for president with the Labour Party in 2023, doesn’t need help from the PDP or political figures like Atiku Abubakar or Nasir El-Rufai to win the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview with The Punch, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, said Obi is popular enough to beat President Bola Tinubu in a fair election. He rejected rumours about Obi returning to the PDP, calling it a party in crisis with few members left.
“Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win the 2027 presidential election. He is a sellable candidate. If you recall, he was already coasting to victory in the 2023 elections before the controversial glitches. He even defeated Tinubu in his own stronghold in Lagos, which shows Nigerians want him in power.”
“For as long as INEC conducts a free and fair election, he will win. He can also leverage his local and international connections to make it happen,” Ndubuaku added.
Recently, the Obidients Movement also declared their continued support for Obi, regardless of which political party he chooses for the 2027 election.
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Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the movement, emphasised that Nigeria urgently needs rescue and believes Obi is the only person who can fix the country’s economic problems.
Ndubuaku agreed, saying Obi is popular across all six regions of Nigeria. He warned against Obi returning to the PDP:
“No serious candidate will consider the PDP as a viable platform at this point,” he said. “Obi is a disciplined man. If people are suggesting he return to the PDP, on what basis? Compare the PDP’s issues with those of the Labour Party. While LP’s crisis—centring around Julius Abure—has been settled by the Supreme Court, the PDP is still battling a hydra-headed crisis. Moving from LP to PDP would be like jumping from frying pan to fire.”
He also addressed concerns about regional power sharing, noting that some worry that if Obi wins, he might serve for eight years, which could upset the traditional rotation of power between Nigeria’s regions.
“The only reservation some people have is that if Obi wins, he could take the full eight years, which the North fears may disrupt the zoning balance. But we know Obi doesn’t need two years to revive Nigeria. He’s not desperate for power,” Ndubuaku said.
