2027: Peter Obi, Makinde Close Ranks, Call for United Front to Rescue Nigeria

• Obi urges Nigerians and political leaders to unite behind a national rescue mission, saying the 2027 election should focus on ending poverty, hunger and insecurity rather than political divisions.

• Peter Obi declares Seyi Makinde fully qualified to contest for president, insisting every aspirant deserves a fair opportunity in a credible democratic contest.

• Former Anambra governor pledges support for whoever wins a free, fair and credible election, stressing that national interest must come before personal ambition.

• Growing opposition realignment gathers momentum ahead of 2027, with Obi, Makinde and Atiku Abubakar positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested presidential race.

September 07, () — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians and the country’s political leaders to close ranks and work together to rescue the nation from worsening poverty, hunger and insecurity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi appealed on Monday in Abuja during the commissioning of the 2027 presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s current challenges require unity of purpose rather than bitter political rivalry, adding that the country’s future should be placed above personal ambition and party interests.

According to Obi, the 2027 election should give Nigerians the freedom to choose their next leader through a transparent, free and credible process, while all contestants must be prepared to support whoever emerges victorious.

“What we are doing today is to show you that, for us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice. Whoever they choose, all of us will come together to build a new Nigeria,” Obi said.

He lamented the country’s economic hardship and worsening security situation, arguing that millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive.

“We can’t all continue the way we are going today. Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse,” he added.

Obi also endorsed Makinde’s right to seek the presidency, describing him as qualified to contest for Nigeria’s highest office.

He maintained that democracy thrives when competent individuals are allowed to present themselves before the electorate.

Calling for a new political culture, Obi said leaders should compete over ideas and solutions instead of engaging in hostility and personal attacks.

“We declare here the social guarantee to assure you that we are changing the politics. We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty. We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he stated.

He assured supporters that political actors committed to national development would remain united in what he described as a collective rescue mission for Nigeria.

Monday’s event underscored the increasing political consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with several prominent opposition figures stepping up their presidential ambitions.

Among those already in the race is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), setting the stage for an intense contest among opposition leaders as preparations for the election gather pace.