The Senator Nenadi Usman faction of the Labour Party (LP) has ruled out the possibility of its 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stepping down for any coalition or rival aspirant, calling such speculation a betrayal of the hopes of millions of Nigerians yearning for genuine change.
Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE, Tony Akeni, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, made it clear that the Labour Party has no intention of withdrawing Obi from the race.
“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 added that while opposition parties may eventually unite, any decision on alliances or coalitions will come closer to the party primaries. Still, Akeni emphasized that the LP remains committed to its own path, stating:
“Our motto is: forward ever, backward never.”
Akeni urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to put national interest above personal ambition, appealing to him to support Obi’s presidential bid in 2027.
“Let Atiku consider how he wants to be remembered as the man who sacrificed Nigeria for ambition and still lost, or as the man who gave up ambition for Nigeria and helped redirect the nation toward progress,” he said.
He also referenced the emergence of a group called “AGOBI’27” (Atiku Give us Obi 2027), a coalition of political actors urging Atiku to back Obi as the unified candidate for the opposition.
Also weighing in, Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, stressed the need to respect Nigeria’s informal North-South power rotation, insisting the presidency in 2027 should remain in the South.
“It is still the South’s turn. If you’re replacing one southern candidate, it must be with another southerner,” Tanko said.
He cautioned that attempts to shift power back to the North in 2027 could threaten national unity and stability.
Tanko reaffirmed the movement’s unwavering support for Peter Obi, describing him as the best candidate with the competence, character, and compassion to lead Nigeria.
“Wherever Peter Obi goes, we will go,” he declared.
The Labour Party’s remarks follow recent speculation that Atiku Abubakar might step down in favour of Obi in 2027.
However, Atiku has denied such claims, clarifying that he merely expressed openness to supporting a younger candidate, but only if such a candidate emerges through a fair party primary.
In a statement from his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said:
“Young people and other aspirants are free to contest. If I run and a younger person defeats me, I’ll accept the outcome.”
The statement followed a BBC Hausa interview in which Atiku’s comments were widely interpreted as suggesting a willingness to back Obi or another younger aspirant.
Despite the denials, talks about a possible unified opposition front for the 2027 general elections continue to gain traction.
Some believe the fragmentation of opposition votes in 2023 played a key role in the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
So far, however, no formal agreement or joint ticket has emerged between the Atiku and Obi camps.
