- Safiu Kehinde
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims of a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2027.
Obi made this known during an XSpace session titled #PeterObiOnParallelFacts hosted by online media outlet, Parallel Fact, on Monday.
Reacting to question as regards the joint ticket speculations, the former Anambra state governor debunked any negotiations on candidacy, stressing that the coalition’s real goal is to fix Nigeria and stop the killings across the country.
“If the coalition is about sharing tickets and power for its sake, count me out. I’m not interested. I want a coalition that stops the killings in Borno, puts food on people’s tables, and gets our industries working,” Obi said.
He also debunked claims that his supporters were opposed to the merger.
“It’s not about rejection. We’ve never even discussed tickets. It’s about Nigeria first,” he clarified.
While reiterating his commitment to national unity and good governance, Obi disclosed that he is ready to serve only one term in office, adding that he is not desperate for the Presidency.
“If the agreement is one term, I will leave on May 28, 2031-not even May 29. I am not desperate to be president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work,” Obi said.
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate who had earlier criticised President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia again slammed the President for the visit.
In what he described as “out of touch” and “a misplacement of priorities”, Obi noted that Nigeria is currently bedeviled with mass killings, economic hardship, and security breakdowns, yet the president has spent over 59 days abroad this year.
“You can’t build strong international relations when your domestic house is on fire,
“We’re losing lives in Niger, Benue, Zamfara… and we’re gallivanting. You can’t travel around the world when people are being buried at home. Leaders must stay and lead from the front,” Obi said.
Recalling his time as Governor of Anambra State, Obi recounted visiting scenes of tragedy personally — including funerals for unknown victims.
He held that leaders must feel the pain of the people which showed compassion.
“Leadership is not about flying jets. It’s about compassion,
“If 17 soldiers die in Niger and the president is commissioning parties in Lagos, we’ve lost our humanity.” He said.
According to report, he ended by calling for a leadership style rooted in humility, service, and responsibility.
“I don’t want to be president to decorate my CV. I want to show that leadership can be different — and effective.” Obi said.