The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, does not need a political coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar or Nasir El-Rufai to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking to Sources, Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the NLC’s Political Commission, said Obi remains a strong and widely accepted candidate with enough national appeal to win a free and fair election on his own.
“Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win in 2027. He is a sellable candidate who has already proven his popularity,” Ndubuaku said. “He was already on track to victory in 2023 before the controversial disruptions. Don’t forget, he even won in Tinubu’s stronghold, Lagos. That alone speaks volumes.”
Ndubuaku dismissed any speculation about Obi returning to the PDP, calling the party “crisis-ridden and near-empty.” He argued that the PDP lacks the structure and credibility needed for any serious political challenge.
“No serious candidate would consider PDP as an option now. If people are suggesting Obi return to the PDP, on what basis? Compared to the Labour Party, which has resolved its internal disputes, the PDP is still in deep crisis,” he said. “That would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.”
He also dismissed concerns about zoning and regional power rotation, insisting Obi’s competence should override such debates.
“The only fear some people have is that Obi might take a full eight years if elected, which some northern interests worry could affect power rotation. But Obi isn’t power-hungry — and he doesn’t need eight years to fix Nigeria.”
The Obidient Movement has also reaffirmed its support for Obi ahead of 2027, regardless of the platform he chooses. National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko emphasized that Obi remains the most credible option for rescuing Nigeria’s economy.
Ndubuaku concluded that as long as INEC conducts a transparent election, Obi has the grassroots and global backing needed to win without any formal alliance.
