Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has expressed his reluctance to form coalitions with other parties merely for the sake of gaining power in the 2027 elections.
Obi made this statement on Monday in Abuja, during a national conference titled “Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria.”
The conference, organised by various esteemed organisations including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), aimed to explore pathways to good governance and political integrity in Nigeria.
When questioned about the potential coalition, Obi emphasised that his foremost concern lies in the well-being of Nigeria and its citizens.
“For me, what is most important is discussing Nigeria. Whether a coalition materialises or not, our focus should be on the future of the country,” he stated.
Obi reiterated his disinterest in coalitions centred around a mere power grab.
“Time and again, we neglect the needs of our country, focusing instead on the pursuit of power,” he remarked.
“I’m not interested in any coalition aimed at seizing power; my priority is Nigeria. How can we ensure the security of Nigerians? How do we support the common man? How do we guarantee that our children receive an education? These are the pressing issues we must address.”
Recently, Obi has attracted attention over speculations regarding a possible alliance with other opposition presidential candidates to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming elections.
The former Governor of Anambra State also underscored the urgency of ending the monetisation of politics in Nigeria.
“What we need to eliminate is the entrenchment of money in politics, as it fosters the theft of public funds. If I misuse public resources to win an election, I gain all the power and immunity from prosecution. We must put a stop to this; it drives corruption,” he stated.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, also addressed the conference.
He noted that the conference was taking place at a time when democracy as a governance system is facing challenges globally.
Shettima remarked, “Our failure to prioritise the teaching of history means that older generations, who recognise the superiority of democratic systems, bear the weighty responsibility of creating a democratic system that profoundly impacts citizens’ lives.
“Nigeria’s democracy must extend beyond merely asking Nigerians to line up every four years to elect leaders. It must, in practical terms, compel leaders to fulfil the obligations of elected leadership transparently.
“This mandates that leaders act as custodians of public interests and assets, committed to serving their constituents. The best leaders are those who wield power solely to advance the interests of their people.”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice-President of Ghana, also spoke at the event.
