Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has dropped a strong hint about the possibility of him leaving the party ahead of the 2027 election cycle. This revelation came during an engagement with his supporters on his verified X (formerly Twitter) space hosted by Parallel Facts.
The former Anambra State Governor made it clear that his primary focus, shared by committed members of the Obidient Movement, is to make Nigeria work for all citizens. He refuses to be distracted from this goal, viewing the contrived crisis within the Labour Party as a mere distraction strategy that neither he nor his supporters are willing to fall for.
Obi emphasized that their engagement is about Nigeria, not solely about the Labour Party. He stressed that their priorities are addressing issues such as water supply, power generation, employment opportunities, and security – challenges that should remain their core focus.
Regarding the Labour Party crisis, Obi stated that they would make spirited efforts to change the party from within. However, he drew a line, asserting that he is not willing to “die with them” if those efforts prove futile. Obi invoked a Christian principle, citing Jesus’ teachings that when attempting to change a city, if one cannot succeed, they should leave and even shake off the sand from their shoes.
In Obi’s words, “We will try to change them (LP), if we can’t, we will leave them; we will not die with them.” This statement underscores his determination to prioritize the goals of the Obidient Movement and the betterment of Nigeria over any internal party conflicts that may hinder their progress.
Obi’s remarks suggest that he and his supporters are open to exploring alternative avenues if the Labour Party proves resistant to the changes they seek. Their commitment is not to any particular political party but to the broader mission of transforming Nigeria for the benefit of all its citizens.
As the 2027 election season approaches, Obi’s willingness to consider leaving the Labour Party if necessary adds an intriguing dynamic to the political landscape. It remains to be seen whether the party will address the concerns raised by Obi and his supporters or whether they will chart a new course under a different banner.