Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition is being shrouded in uncertainty as confusion continues to trail what platform he will contest the election.
DAILY POST reports that Obi, who contested for the nation’s top job in 2023 via the Labour Party, is a key member of the coalition of opposition figures plotting to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
On July 2, 2025, the opposition leaders comprising Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, David Mark, former Kaduna and Rivers State Governors, Nasir El-rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as platform to contest the 2027 polls.
However, Obi’s hope of securing the ADC ticket is glaringly becoming a mirage as party bigwigs seem to be zeroing in on Atiku.
A source within the party told DAILY POST that there will be no consensus candidate, stating that, like other political parties, ADC “will conduct a primary election” to determine its flagbearer.
However, it was gathered from Obi’s camp that the former presidential candidate is not ready to meet Atiku in the primary election.
Obi won’t participate in dollarised primary election – Obidient Movement
Obi’s cult-like followership known as the Obidient Movement has vowed that their principal will not participate in any “dollarised delegate” inducement primary election in ADC.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko told DAILY POST that Obi’s style of politics does not allow him to take part in the “heavily monetized” primary election.
According to Yunusa, “Peter Obi will not join them to pay delegates in any delegate election.
“Obi can’t engage in that because these people who have stolen so much money and have a lot of money on the ground will overrun him.
“We are running a different kind of campaign. Obi will not engage in any primary election that is heavily monetized.
“The presidency is zoned to the South, so there should not be any need to talk about a Northern candidate, this will make the election winnable”.
Yunusa’s remarks followed a statement by Atiku who vowed not to step aside for any aspirant under the ADC.
Asked if Ob is considering defecting to another party for the presidential ticket, Tanko said “when we reach that bridge, we will cross it”.
ADC decline speaking on alleged resolve to jettison consensus
Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST declined comment on speculations that the party has resolved to conduct a primary election, contrary to the expectation of some members, particularly from Obi’s camp.
According to Bolaji, the ADC’s focus was currently not on who would fly the party’s flag for the 2027 polls.
“Nobody in ADC is currently having any conversation on whether we will arrive at a consensus candidate or go to primary. When we get to that, we will figure it out.
“That is not our priority right now. We are still a new party and we are focusing on how to grow our party now. That is more important to us than talking about presidential candidates”, he said.
On why Obi is yet to register as a member of the party, Bolaji said, “We have said that Obi and El-rufai are not yet card carrying members of ADC because he wants to support candidates of his original political parties in coming elections.
“In the case of Peter Obi, it is after the coming Anambra election that he may fully join ADC. If there is any other reason then I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, some political analysts have argued that the possibility of the former governor to contest the election via the crisis-ridden Labour Party is also very low.
Abure and his camp waiting to frustrate Obi in LP – Analyst
A political analyst, Dr Anabi Samuel told DAILY POST that Obi’s presidential ambition cannot sail through in LP, citing the unending leadership crisis rocking the party.
According to Anabi, the factional national chairman of the LP, Julius Abure and those in his camp will frustrate the former governor.
“Peter Obi has made a lot of enemies in LP and picking the party’s ticket for 2027 may not go well with him.
“The likes of the party’s factional leader, Julius Abure will definitely frustrate him even right from the primary election and remember, there is no automatic ticket for him there either.
“Let’s even assume he gets the LP ticket, he doesn’t need any enemy from outside, those within will frustrate him and ensure that he doesn’t win.
“If Obi cannot get the ADC ticket, he should put his ambition on hold unless PDP agrees to offer him the ticket.
“There are rumours that he is planning to join a new political party. Obi should perish that thought quickly. 2027 is not like 2023, he needs a known party with good structure to win the 2027 election”, Anabi said.
No automatic ticket for Peter Obi – LP insists
Although some analysts believe that Peter Obi brought the Labour Party into the limelight, the party has insisted that the former governor will not have an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 election.
Factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh told DAILY POST that it is undemocratic to give Obi an automatic ticket.
“Our primary election is going to be democratic. Available positions will be published and anybody that has interest will apply and go through the normal process of primary election.
“It is undemocratic to give an automatic ticket to any aspirant”, Ifoh said.