Theย 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said the 2027 general elections may be his final shot at the presidency.
Obi, who confirmed he would contest in 2027 on the LPโs platform, hinted at a possible exit from active politics after that.
He spoke in a seven-minute, 16-second video clip that went viral on the partyโs WhatsApp platform during an informal address to young Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor noted that he would be 65 in 2027 and might not be willing to pursue public office beyond that age.
โI believe we should have a retirement age for politicians. By 2027, I will be 65. If the presidency goes back to the North in 2031, it may not return to the South until 2039 โ by then, I will be 77. I wouldnโt want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything,โ he said.
Despite suggesting that he may not return to the ballot beyond 2027, Obi assured his audience of continued support for young Nigerians who are serious about national transformation.
โEven if Iโm not contesting, I will always support those of you who are committed to real change, with whatever resources I can provide,โ he stated.
Althoughย Sunday PUNCHย could not verify when the video was recorded, Obiโs media aide, Umar Ibrahim, confirmed it was recent.
โItโs a recent video, around last week, yes. But I canโt remember the exact day that it held,โ Ibrahim said.
Addressing internal crises in opposition parties, Obi blamed the ruling government for fuelling the turmoil in both the LP and Peoples Democratic Party.
โWhat is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government. Quote me anywhere,โ he declared, adding that interference in party affairs was a calculated effort to weaken the opposition.
He recalled how former President Umaru Musa YarโAdua once intervened in a similar situation to ensure internal stability within political parties.
Obi said, โBack then, I went to President YarโAdua. He called the INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and said he didnโt want any issues in any political party. The problems were fixed. But today, every party is facing one crisis or another โ and it is deliberate.โ
He stated Nigeriaโs democracy couldnโt thrive without strong opposition parties, expressing his determination to fix such structural challenges if elected.
The former Anambra governor also urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for defending the integrity of their votes, warning that any meaningful reform would be met with resistance from those benefitting from the current system.
