In recent times, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has been seen on several humanitarian visits to victims, communities and families impacted by herdsmen attacks across various states. With the general elections of 2027 approaching, speculations of Peter Obi’s possible presidential campaign was stirred.
In the nearly two years since the current administration took office, Nigerians have allegedly witnessed significant increase in living cost, inflation, worsening insecurity with kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency plaguing many parts of the country. These hardships have severely impacted ordinary Nigerians.
Recall that Obi’s campaign for the 2023 presidential election two years earlier had given millions of people, especially young people, hope through Labour Party. Despite alleged claims of manipulating and falsifying data in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi’s call for change and hope had struck a deep chord.
Following this was the Obidient Movement, a grassroots movement born out of Obi’s campaign, that inspired a generation of young Nigerians who were fed up with the existing system and additionally came out in mass to vote during the 2023 polls, pulling a massive six million votes for Peter Obi and the Labour party.
As defections from opposition parties to the APC continue to make headlines, several political figures across both the PDP and APC including former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed expressing their opinions with some publicly demanding that Obi discards any intentions of running for presidency in 2027.
Additionally, senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that Peter Obi should focus on fixing his party issues before aspiring to be president. Similarly, APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe earlier disclosed in a Facebook post that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is the only opposition candidate with potential to unseat Tinubu
Recall that Sowunmi , a PDP loyalist also declared that Peter Obi should return to the PDP in order to secure the presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party internal issues have continued to linger, giving room for massive defection to the ruling APC.
All of these have given rise to more speculations and questions. Would Peter Obi be the one to challenge the ruling party’s dominance in 2027, what chance does he stand given that his popular obidient movement which was a major power house was deterred following the results of the 2023 general elections.
While some have also stated full support for Obi, the question still remains; does he have the same potential as he possessed in 2023, is there a slim chance that Nigerians would throw their weight once again behind Obi in another attempt to unseat the Tinubu-led administration.
Although Peter Obi is yet to officially state his aspiration and intentions for the fast approaching 2027 polls, to what extent does he stand a chance to become Nigeria’s saviour, or would he remain a philanthropic figurehead.
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