Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has stated he is willing to serve only a single term in office if that is what a future political coalition demands, adding that his focus is not on power but on rebuilding Nigeria.
During a high-profile XSpace session titled #PeterObiOnParallelFacts, which attracted over 10,000 live participants and thousands of comments, Obi addressed a range of national issues, from zoning arrangements to foreign diplomacy and internal security.
“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 in response to a question from a participant identified as Balactic.
Obi emphasized that honouring zoning arrangements and respecting coalition commitments are marks of political maturity, recalling how he previously upheld such agreements during his time as Governor of Anambra State, even at personal cost.
Turning his attention to President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to St. Lucia, Obi didn’t mince words.
“You can’t build strong international relations when your domestic house is on fire,” he said, describing the trip as “out of touch” and “a misplacement of priorities.”
Obi pointed out that St. Lucia, with a population of about 180,000, is smaller than Ajegunle, a neighborhood in Lagos, and questioned the logic behind frequent foreign trips while the country battles widespread insecurity and economic distress.
“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,” he declared.
Responding to speculations about a possible joint presidential ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 election, Obi categorically denied any such discussions, reaffirming that his focus is national healing, not power-sharing.
“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,” he said.
Obi also addressed claims that his supporters are resisting a potential merger with other parties.
“It’s not about rejection. We’ve never even discussed tickets. It’s about Nigeria first,” he clarified.
Reflecting on his leadership style while serving as governor, Obi shared how he would personally attend funerals and visit affected communities to show solidarity.
“Leadership is not about flying jets. It’s about compassion,” he said.
“If 17 soldiers die in Niger and the president is commissioning parties in Lagos, we’ve lost our humanity.”
Obi concluded with a powerful reaffirmation of his motivation to lead, stating that his ambition is rooted in service, not prestige.
“I don’t want to be president to decorate my CV. I want to show that leadership can be different, and effective.”
