Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi’s path to the 2027 presidential election remains unclear as confusion surrounds the political platform he will use to contest. Obi, who ran under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, is a key figure in a coalition of opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next polls.
In July 2025, Obi, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former Governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their joint platform for the 2027 elections. However, growing indications suggest that Obi’s chances of securing the ADC ticket are dimming, as many within the party are reportedly backing Atiku.
Sources told newsmen that the ADC plans to hold a competitive primary rather than field a consensus candidate. Obi’s camp, however, has declared that he will not participate in what they described as a “dollarised” and heavily monetized primary.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, stated that Obi’s political philosophy rejects the practice of paying delegates to secure nominations. “Obi cannot engage in a delegate election dominated by moneybags. We are running a different kind of campaign,” he said. Tanko also argued that the presidency should be zoned to the South, making Obi’s chances stronger if the ADC adopts that principle.
Meanwhile, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, declined to confirm whether the party had abandoned plans for a consensus candidate. He revealed that Obi and El-Rufai were not yet registered members of the ADC, noting that Obi might join after the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.
Analysts argue that returning to the Labour Party may not be an option for Obi, given the lingering leadership crisis and the factional camp led by Julius Abure. Dr. Anabi Samuel, a political analyst, warned that Abure’s group could frustrate Obi’s chances within the LP.
Despite Obi’s influence in LP, factional spokesperson Obiora Ifoh affirmed that no automatic ticket would be granted, insisting all aspirants must go through a democratic primary process.
