Peter Obi has responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent statement that the 2027 presidential election would mark his final bid if he secures the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket. Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered podcast on Saturday, Obi described Atiku as a respected leader and elder brother, emphasising that the political landscape remains fluid.
“At this point, we are not at that stage yet. Atiku is my respected leader and my dear elder brother. His statement, I will always say, is a statement of a leader, and look at what he used ‘if’,” Obi remarked. “So we can’t say what will happen about tomorrow. I can only tell you I am contesting in the election for the office of the president.”
When pressed on whether he would abide by any agreement reached after party primaries, Obi stressed that his acceptance would depend entirely on the credibility of the process. “I accept what happens after it if it’s through a transparent process you can call fair and credible. I’ve said it before I left parties because I found the whole process transactional,” he explained. “It’s critical that the process through which people come into office is far more fundamental than what they do after.”
Obi further underscored the importance of due process in leadership emergence, cautioning against shortcuts. “You cannot jump into the house through the window and start cleaning the house and expect everybody to accept you. The process must be right,” he added.
The exchange highlights the ongoing dynamics within Nigeria’s political sphere as key figures position themselves for future contests. Obi’s emphasis on transparency and process integrity reflects broader calls for electoral reforms ahead of the next election cycle.
