Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared that if elected president in 2027, he is ready to serve only a single term in line with Nigeria’s long-standing power rotation agreement between the North and South. Speaking during a Twitter Space session hosted by Parallel Facts on Sunday, June 29, 2025, Obi said his stance reflects his lifelong commitment to equity, justice, and the zoning principle.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that Nigeria’s unwritten zoning arrangement is key to national unity and fairness. “Any southerner elected in 2027 must be ready to hand over by May 28, 2031,” Obi stated. “I believe in zoning. I’ve championed it in Anambra State and supported it nationally. It’s not just a policy to me—it’s a matter of conscience.”
Obi’s statement comes at a time when talks of a grand political coalition are gathering momentum. Multiple reports suggest he is currently in strategic discussions with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai to present a united opposition front against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reflecting on the political risks he has taken in defending zoning in the past, Obi said, “I campaigned for zoning when it wasn’t popular. Some people decided to fight me politically because I refused to bend. But till today, I stand by it religiously.” He added that his loyalty to the principle has often come at a personal and political cost.
While addressing the coalition talks, Obi maintained that he is not driven by desperation for power but by the need to deliver competent, compassionate, and capacity-driven leadership. “Even if I get only two years, I will use it to make meaningful changes in governance,” he said. “For me, public office is about service, not personal ambition.”
The LP candidate also underscored the role of power rotation in maintaining Nigeria’s fragile political balance. He warned that undermining zoning would deepen mistrust among regions and threaten national cohesion. “Zoning helps manage our diversity. It gives every region hope that their turn will come,” Obi said.
Concluding his remarks, Obi expressed optimism about the coalition’s ability to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape. “This isn’t about one man. It’s about building a team that can move Nigeria forward. If given the mandate, I will deliver,” he affirmed.
