2027: Obi speaks on LP’s potential merger with PDP

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to a merger between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his party, saying he will only be part of a merger of political parties if it is geared towards making Nigeria better.

Obi, while speaking in an interview with NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV, said he is not interested in the merger of parties merely to win elections or just for state capture.

Obi commended Abubakar for saying he would support him if the 2027 presidency were zoned to the south-east.

“On the issue of merger… coming together of parties, I always say as long as any merger or coming together is for a better Nigeria, a new Nigeria, for governing properly, I’m for it,” Obi said.

“If it is just a merger for elections or state capture, I’m not part of it. I’m not desperate to be president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor people.

“We have a lot of potential. So, if the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly or unlock all these things that will make Nigeria a better place, I’m for it.

“It might be at the party or individual level. But we must come together to build a better Nigeria.”

There have been speculations that the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other opposition parties may coalesce ahead of the 2027 election.

The Informant247 had, on May 17, reported that Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate in the last election, said he would support Obi if the parties merged and ceded the ticket to the southeast region.

Obi and Abubakar lost the 2023 election to Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The duo contested the 2019 presidential election on a joint PDP ticket — with Obi as Abubakar’s running mate.