Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential bid is facing uncertainty amid confusion over the political platform he will use to contest the election.
Obi, who ran for president in 2023 under the Labour Party (LP), is a key figure in the coalition of opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. The coalition, which includes Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, had on July 2, 2025, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its common platform for the next general elections.
However, Obi’s path within the ADC appears shaky as the party’s power brokers reportedly favor Atiku Abubakar for the ticket.
A source within the party told DAILY POST that there will be no consensus candidate, stressing that the ADC will hold a primary election to determine its flagbearer.
But insiders from Obi’s camp have revealed that the former LP candidate is unwilling to face Atiku in a “dollarised” primary election.
“Obi Won’t Buy Delegates,” Obidient Movement Insists
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, declared that Obi would not participate in any monetized delegate system.
“Peter Obi will not join them to pay delegates. Those who have looted public funds can easily overrun such a system. Obi’s politics is different — he won’t be part of a heavily monetized primary,” Tanko said.
He added that since the presidency is zoned to the South, there should be no talk of a northern candidate.
Asked if Obi might defect to another party, Tanko simply said, “When we reach that bridge, we will cross it.”
ADC Keeps Mum on Consensus Reports
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, declined to confirm or deny claims that the party has dropped plans for a consensus candidate.
“Nobody in ADC is currently discussing that. We are still building our party structure — presidential candidates are not our priority yet,” Abdullahi said.
He also clarified that Obi and El-Rufai are not yet registered members of the ADC, noting that Obi plans to wait until after the upcoming Anambra election before making any move.
Labour Party Crisis Deepens Obi’s Dilemma
Political analyst Dr. Anabi Samuel believes Obi’s return to the Labour Party is also fraught with challenges, citing the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
According to him, LP’s factional chairman Julius Abure and his loyalists “will frustrate Obi’s chances” if he seeks the ticket there.
“Even if he manages to clinch the LP ticket, internal sabotage could ruin his campaign. If he can’t secure ADC, he should pause his ambition unless PDP offers him their ticket,” Dr. Anabi said.
LP Rules Out Automatic Ticket
The LP has also ruled out any automatic ticket for Obi in 2027.
Factional National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, told DAILY POST that all aspirants must go through the normal primary process.
“It is undemocratic to hand out automatic tickets. All positions will be open, and those interested must contest fairly,” Ifoh stated.
With both ADC and LP offering no easy path, and internal opposition mounting, Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition now hangs in the balance.
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