Labour Party Rejects Rumours of Peter Obi Stepping Down, Says It Would Shatter Nigerians’ Hopes

The Labour Party has refuted claims suggesting that its 2027 presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, may withdraw from the race or support any political coalition, saying such a move would crush the aspirations of millions of Nigerians who look to him for genuine leadership and change.

Speaking to newsmen, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, dismissed the speculation as baseless, stressing that withdrawing Obi from the presidential contest “would mean taking away 90 per cent of the hope of Nigerians for national redemption and a fresh start.”

According to Akeni, both the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement remain unwavering in their resolve to contest the presidency. “Our motto is forward ever, backward never,” he said, noting that the party will push ahead “if the right decision is not taken by those pushing for an opposition coalition.”

Akeni also called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to “prove his statesmanship by placing the country’s interest above personal ambition,” urging him to back Obi in 2027. He questioned what legacy Atiku wished to leave behind, asking whether he would prefer to be remembered “as the man who sacrificed Nigeria for his ambition and lost, or the man who put Nigeria first and helped lead it toward progress.”

He further revealed that a political pressure group, known as AGOBI’27 (Atiku Givus Obi 2027), was formed by some stakeholders to appeal to Atiku’s conscience and push for his support of Obi’s candidacy as a rallying point for the opposition.

In a similar vein, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, reaffirmed that power should remain in the South under Nigeria’s rotational arrangement. “By the democratic understanding we have as a nation, power should alternate between the North and South. As it stands, it is still the South’s turn,” Tanko said.

He cautioned that any move to return the presidency to the North in 2027 “could threaten national unity,” calling on political actors to rally behind a southern candidate who embodies integrity and competence. Tanko maintained that the movement continues to stand firmly behind Peter Obi, describing him as “the most qualified, capable, and compassionate leader Nigeria needs right now.”

He added, “We believe Peter Obi has the vision and character to transform the country, and wherever he goes, the movement will follow.”

The statement comes amid ongoing conversations about a possible opposition alliance involving Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom ran on different platforms during the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku recently clarified comments from his BBC Hausa interview that sparked speculation of a possible withdrawal. Through his media aide, Paul Ibe, he explained that he never said he would step down for anyone, but rather that he would support a younger aspirant if such a person emerged through a transparent primary process.

Atiku said, “If I contest and a younger person defeats me, I will accept it. The party we have joined now places emphasis on youth and women.”

Despite these clarifications, discussions about a potential Atiku-Obi alliance have persisted among opposition supporters, many of whom believe a united front could challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. However, both camps have yet to make any formal commitments toward a joint ticket.