Kehinde Fajobi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has dismissed speculations about a merger with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi clarified during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday that no formal agreement had been reached with any political group.
However, he urged patriotic Nigerians in the political space to unite in 2027 to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of mismanaging the nation’s resources.
“The APC has continued to waste the nation’s resources, and we must come together to rescue Nigeria,” he said.
Obi expressed concerns over the country’s security situation, describing it as “unfortunate.” He lamented the high rates of banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings, which he said have led to countless needless deaths.
He also criticised the rising cost of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, linking it to increased public debt and excessive foreign trips by government officials.
“The level of corruption remains alarming, and governance has become wasteful. Public funds are being mismanaged through incessant foreign travels,” Obi stated.
The 2023 presidential election saw Tinubu securing 8,794,726 votes to emerge as the winner, ahead of PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, who garnered 6,984,520 votes, and Obi, who received 6,101,533 votes. NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso came fourth with 1,496,687 votes, winning only Kano State.
Obi and Kwankwaso, both former PDP members, had left the party before the 2023 elections due to irreconcilable differences.