Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has clarified that no merger agreement has been reached with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political party.
Obi made this statement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, addressing pressing national issues. The former Anambra State governor emphasized that while discussions may occur, no formal deal has been established.
He called on all Nigerians passionate about the nation’s progress to unite politically in 2027 to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of mismanaging Nigeria’s resources.
Obi also criticized the current state of security in Nigeria, describing it as dire. He lamented the persistent banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings that have led to unnecessary loss of lives.
Furthermore, Obi highlighted the nation’s soaring public debt, which he attributed to high corruption levels and excessive foreign travels by government officials in 2024 under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The 2023 presidential election saw Tinubu securing victory with 8,794,726 votes, winning in 12 states. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP garnered 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, a first-time presidential candidate, achieved an unprecedented 6,101,533 votes. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP finished fourth with 1,496,687 votes, winning only in Kano State.
Interestingly, Obi and Kwankwaso were members of the PDP before the 2023 elections, leaving due to irreconcilable differences.
As political alignments shift ahead of 2027, Obi’s call for unity among opposition parties signals a potential strategy to unseat the APC in the next election cycle.