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 Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), from his office.
As reported by Nigerian Tribune, the Senate committee on finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, February 26, accused Magaji of failing to honour the upper legislative chamber’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
Senator Sani Musa, the chairman of the committee, said:
“He (Magaji) refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses.
” Magaji was appointed to this position by President Tinubu on October 13, 2023.
As the registrar-general of the CAC, Magaji is expected to work for the development and regulation of corporate affairs in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu on Wednesday night, February 25, formally urged the Senate to begin the process of amending the 1999 constitution to provide for the establishment of state police, declaring that Nigeria must urgently restructure its security architecture to confront terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja, the president stated that the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state policing in the constitution to enable governments at subnational levels better secure their territories.
The Nation quoted President Tinubu as saying:
“Nigeria is extremely challenged, we are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency, but you never failed to make a right response to these calls.
“What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear.”
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have called on the National Assembly to commence a fresh process to amend the Electoral Act.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, urged federal lawmakers to expunge all objectionable provisions contained in the Act.
Prominent opposition figures at the meeting included former Senate President David Mark; NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Also in attendance at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, were the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alongside other stakeholders.
Others present included Senator Dino Melaye, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, among several dignitaries.
The Bayelsa state house of assembly has approved the appointment of Peter Akpe as the deputy governor of the state.
Akpe, a pastor, served as chief of staff to Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, prior to his nomination.
Ordained clergy by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Akpe has had a career spanning the civil service and politics.
He served in the Rivers and Bayelsa state civil services before transitioning fully into politics.
Akpe was a two-term member of the Bayelsa state house of assembly from 2011 to 2019, serving as majority leader throughout his stint in the legislature.
He also served as commissioner between 2008 and 2011 under the Seriake Dickson administration.
The approval clears the way for his swearing-in as deputy governor.
Akpe’s appointment follows the death of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the former deputy governor, who passed on last December.
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