Opposition leader and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has confirmed he will contest for the presidency in 2027, dismissing speculation that he might run as a deputy to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I’m going to contest for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I believe I am qualified for it,” Obi said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Responding to suggestions that he might become Atiku’s running mate, Obi said: “This is not in play. Nobody has ever discussed that with me. People make assumptions, but I’ve never had such a conversation.”

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party while also emphasising his role in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, a growing opposition alliance seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I am part of the coalition that aims to produce a president with the capacity and compassion to rescue Nigeria,” he said.

Obi asserted that he would not require more than a single four-year term to deliver on his governance vision. “I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance,” he said.

He added: “In two years, there has been maximum damage. Two years is enough to reverse the trend. People want to wake up and see a president who cares.”

On July 2, 2025, a broad coalition of opposition figures—including Atiku, Obi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Ministers Rauf Aregbesola and Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—adopted the ADC as their political platform to challenge Tinubu in 2027.

The alliance is leveraging the combined electoral strength from the 2023 election, where Atiku and Obi secured over 12 million votes—more than four million above President Tinubu’s declared tally.

Addressing criticisms that the coalition consists of “expired” politicians, Obi said experience—whether from failure or success—was vital.

“Some of the world’s biggest companies hire people who have worked in failed firms because they know what caused the failure. We need both perspectives,” he explained.

Obi reiterated his loyalty to the Labour Party despite his involvement with the ADC coalition. “This is not anti-party. We’re in 2025, not 2027. If I say I’ll join your dinner, it doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my breakfast,” he said.

He clarified that the ADC has only been adopted for the 2027 election as part of a united front for better governance. “I remain a Labour Party member, but we’ve agreed to work as a coalition. Others will join too. The focus is on character, capacity, and competence,” he said.