The presidential candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said the 2027 general election will be a battle between Nigerians and bad leadership.
Obi made the statement in Anambra State on Saturday while officially registering as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former governor of Anambra State, who has vowed to challenge Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, also called on Nigerians to participate in the party’s ongoing online registration exercise.
“With the agreement of all national leaders, some of whom are here where we are flagging off today, I am urging everybody that you go and ensure that you register, obtain your card. And go online; we want to register as many Nigerians as possible,” Obi said.
He added that the 2027 election would be a decisive moment for the country.
“The election in 2027 will be Nigerians against bad leadership. I assure you, the election of 2027 will be Nigerians fighting for justice,” he stated.
Obi also argued that the South-East Nigeria deserves the opportunity to produce the president, noting that the region remains an integral part of the country.
“Some people will say, ‘South-East wants this or that’. South-East is part of Nigeria; South-East wants to serve. No other zone will claim to be more Nigerian than the South-East because everywhere you go in Nigeria, you see someone from the South-East who has built a house and is living there,” he said.
He further emphasised that many people from the region live and conduct business across Nigeria, contributing to national development.
According to him, the country needs a system where merit and hard work determine success.
“We want a new Nigeria — a Nigeria where a child of nobody can succeed without knowing anybody,” Obi said.
The former governor also highlighted the need to address poverty as a strategy to tackle insecurity.
“A Nigeria where we must lift Nigerians out of poverty because insecurity today can be reduced if we pull people out of poverty. The more you pull people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality,” he explained.
Obi urged party supporters to intensify efforts in recruiting Nigerians into the ADC ahead of the next elections.
“So, our exercise today is very simple, go and become fishers of men,” he said.
Also registering with the party were the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, and former lawmaker and presidential aide, Ben Obi.
Party leaders had earlier gathered in Awka to launch the membership registration exercise, urging members to return to their wards and mobilise more Nigerians to join the party.
Obi registered at Agulu Ward 2 in Anaocha Local Government Area, while Umeh completed his registration at Aguluzigbo Ward 1 in the same local government area. Ben Obi registered in Agulu Awka in Awka South Local Government Area, all within Anambra State.
