Politics
2027: The Painful Reality About Peter Obi’s Presidential Dream
While I genuinely wish that Mr. Peter Obi would emerge as Nigeria’s president in 2027, saving the nation from the reckless wastefulness that has plagued it since independence, reality tells me otherwise. Obi, despite his refreshing vision and impeccable character, simply doesn’t stand a chance under Nigeria’s current political structure.
What excites me about Obi is his political will, his passion for cutting down the cost of governance, plugging financial leakages, and redirecting our economy toward productivity rather than the endless sharing of “national cake” by the political elite. He embodies the qualities of a disciplined leader who could change Nigeria’s fortunes. Unfortunately, those qualities are the very reasons the entrenched system resists him.
The truth is that Nigeria’s political setup does not reward competence, integrity, or visionary leadership. People like Obi, Omoyele Sowore, and other vibrant alternatives threaten the entrenched interests that benefit from chaos. The system is designed to recycle power among familiar faces, ensuring that reformers remain on the sidelines.
The best shot Obi had at the presidency was in 2023, if the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had honoured its zoning arrangement and allowed the South to produce its candidate. With widespread grassroots support, especially among the youth, he could have mounted a strong challenge. But the PDP abandoned zoning, and Atiku Abubakar seized the ticket. That single miscalculation fractured the party and created the space for Tinubu’s victory.
Now, with the PDP belatedly considering zoning to the South in 2027, Obi’s chances are ironically slimmer. The North’s political heavyweights appear increasingly dissatisfied with Tinubu, but their discontent does not automatically translate into support for Obi. If anything, they would rather rally behind a northern candidate or back an alliance that preserves their influence.
The only miracle that could revive Obi’s prospects is a grand sacrifice from Atiku and other northern aspirants in the PDP and African Democratic Congress (ADC), if they shelve their ambitions and support Obi on a “one-term” pact. That would be the only logical strategy to consolidate the North’s desire for change with the South’s hunger for reform. But knowing the Nigerian political class, such selflessness is a fairy tale. Atiku has spent decades chasing the presidency and is unlikely to step aside for Obi.
Painful as it is to admit, Obi may have to consider a different path. A bold, almost unthinkable move would be to accept the role of running mate to Atiku under the ADC. This may sound like a downgrade, but strategically, it could produce the numbers needed to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC). Northern voters disenchanted with Tinubu could throw their weight behind Atiku, while Obi’s “Obidient Movement” and supporters in the South and parts of the West could tilt the balance.
For this to work, Obi must have a frank conversation with his movement, explaining why compromise is sometimes the only path to power. His followers must understand that clinging to idealism without winning power only entrenches the status quo. If Obi truly cares about Nigeria’s survival, then offering his goodwill in exchange for broader national change is a sacrifice worth making.
One thing is certain: the PDP, even with zoning, cannot defeat Tinubu with a southern candidate in 2027. Not even the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan would change that calculus. The Nigerian political machine is too complex for sentiment alone.
At the end of the day, this is not about Obi, Atiku, or Tinubu, it is about Nigeria. May the country, battered as it is, somehow emerge victorious in this endless struggle for competent leadership.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has elected Mao Ohabunwa as the chairman of its new board of trustees (BoT).
Ohabunwa was elected on Friday after a meeting at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s official residence in Abuja.
At the event, Isah Dansidi emerged as the secretary of the board.
Speaking during the inauguration, Abdulrahman said the move was to restore true values to the party and regain public trust.
The PDP chairman said: “We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law”.
According to him, recent developments in the party, such as internal challenges and disputes, have set the party off from the very principles that formed it.
“We must also be honest with ourselves – the decay we are correcting today did not start yesterday. It began when we abandoned the principle of zoning before the 2015 elections. It began when we allowed ambition to override equity, and when we ignored the cries of reason from within our own ranks. The consequences of those decisions still haunt us today,” he said.
“I stand before you to assure every member of this great party that under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution.
“We will rebuild this party with transparency. We will respect court judgments and the rule of law. We will conduct our congresses with fairness and integrity. We will restore public trust and make the PDP once again the moral voice of Nigeria’s democracy.”
He vowed to reposition the party and bring peace.
At the meeting were PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyawu, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, among others
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged receipt of the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspending four of its top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Others suspended are the National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.); the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.
Naija News reports that the development was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja.
According to the party, INEC was officially notified through a letter conveying the NWC’s resolution from its 608th emergency meeting, where the affected officers were sanctioned over alleged anti-party activities.
The letter, signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and other top officials, stated that the suspensions were made in line with Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
“The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution, suspends the following national officers from the party:
“Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary
“Hon. Umar Bature – National Organising Secretary
“Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) – National Legal Adviser
“Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser.
The above-named officers are consequently suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action,” the letter read.
The commission was also informed that during the period of suspension, the affected officials “shall cease to function in their respective capacities.”
In the interim, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo, has been directed to serve as Acting National Secretary, in accordance with Section 36(2) of the party’s constitution.
Similarly, the National Director of Legal Services and the National Director of Organisation have been assigned to oversee the operations of their respective departments until further notice.
The letter addressed to INEC read, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 608th emergency meeting considered the continued anti-party activities of some National Officers despite the formal reprimand issued by the Party.
The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 57(3), 58 (1XaX(b\{c) and (h) and 59 (1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) (As Amended in 2017) suspends the following National Officers from the Party. 1. Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary 2. Hon. Umar Bature – National Organizing Secretary 3. Barr. Kamaideen Ajibade – National Legal Adviser, 4. Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser, The above-name National Officers are consequently suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. During the period of the suspension, the affected officers cease to function in their respective capacities.
Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the POP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall forthwith act as the National Secretary while the National Director of Legal Services and National Director of Organization are hereby directed to oversee the activities of their respective Directorate.
“While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept thee assurances of the National Working Committee’s highest regards,” the PDP said in the letter signed by Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary and Hon. Yayari Ahmed, National Treasurer and Dr. Woyengikuro Ambrose Daniel, National Financial Secretary.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged that ex-US President Barack Obama, plotted his defeat in 2015.
Jonathan made this allegation in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours’ due to launch on Tuesday.
He said Obama displayed an unusual level of bias during the 2015 elections, describing him as overbearing and ‘condescending’ in his message to Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election.
According to Jonathan, “On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians, all but telling them how to vote.”
Giving the details in the book, Jonathan said, “In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the ‘next chapter’ by their votes.
“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”
According to Premium Times, which obtained a copy of the book hours before its unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan had kept the book secret in order to avoid excerpts of it being published ahead of its formal launch.
DAILY POST recalls that Jonathan lost the 2015 elections to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president would lose reelection.
He assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, getting his own mandate of four years at the 2011 presidential election.
“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” Jonathan said of the video message.
He lampooned Obama, who was American president from 2009 until 2017, for saying all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear but was reluctant to allow the Nigerian security forces drive Boko Haram insurgents away from the Nigerian territories they had been occupying in order to free Nigerian citizens there ahead of elections.
Jonathan also took a harsh aim at former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying the diplomat was nonchalant in his attitude towards his government, despite all efforts to make him understand that the decision to postpone election was in the overall interest of Nigeria.
“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the Northeast and were killing and maiming Nigerians?
“Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear: No President can extend his tenure by one day,” Jonathan said.
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