Peter Obi Denies Merger Deal with PDP, NNPP Ahead of 2027 Elections
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, has dismissed reports of a merger deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political group. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Obi clarified that no formal agreement has been reached with any party.
The former governor of Anambra State called on Nigerians across political divides to unite in 2027 to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of mismanaging the country’s resources. Obi described the nation’s security situation as dire, citing widespread banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping as persistent issues leading to needless loss of lives.
He further criticized the high levels of corruption and the rising cost of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to Obi, excessive foreign trips by government officials in 2024 epitomized the reckless mismanagement of public funds. He also highlighted the alarming growth in public debt, attributing it to poor fiscal discipline.
In the 2023 elections, Tinubu emerged victorious in 12 states and garnered 8,794,726 votes, nearly two million more than his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who secured 6,984,520 votes. Obi, running for the first time, earned 6,101,533 votes, a record-breaking tally for a newcomer. NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, who dominated Kano State, finished fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
Obi and Kwankwaso were both members of the PDP before the 2023 elections but left the party citing irreconcilable differences. Despite their past affiliations, Obi has emphasized the need for a collective effort to change Nigeria’s trajectory, leaving the door open for future collaborations.
