Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, has made it clear that he is running for president in the 2027 elections, firmly rejecting speculation that he intends to contest as vice president.

Speaking during the "One-on-One with Peter Obi" segment of Sunday Politics on Channels Television in Abuja, the former governor of Anambra State reaffirmed his commitment to the presidency and promised to serve only a single term if elected.

“I don’t need more than four years. I’ll show the path to good governance. There’s been maximum damage in two years; two years is enough to start reversing it. Nigerians want a president who shows care and compassion,” Obi said.

A prominent figure in the newly unveiled opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi's presence has sparked questions about a possible alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as seen in their joint 2019 ticket.

When asked directly about his 2027 intentions, Obi responded:

“I am going to contest for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I believe I am qualified for it.”

He dismissed suggestions of being Atiku’s running mate, saying:

“That’s not on the table. No one has ever discussed that with me. People just assume things.”

Obi further reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party, despite his involvement in the broader opposition coalition, which aims to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general election.

“I’m part of the coalition determined to produce a president with the competence and compassion to transform Nigeria,” he noted.

Obi criticised President Tinubu's administration for what he described as significant economic damage within two years, attributing widespread hardship and poverty to misgovernance. He also condemned the president’s alleged lack of empathy in the face of national tragedies.

“On December 18, several children died in Ibadan. By the next day, the president flew to Lagos for Christmas celebrations. That’s not leadership with compassion. We can and must do better,” he said.

He questioned the administration’s priorities, particularly citing the commissioning of a bus terminal project in Abuja while 20 soldiers had just been killed in Niger State.

Obi pledged that, if elected, his administration would take a firm stand against insecurity by declaring an all-out war, rather than mere emergency measures. He proposed empowering states, local governments, and communities to operate police forces alongside the federal police.

“Non-state actors must never be stronger than the state. From day one, I’ll face insecurity head-on. But we must also focus on natural security, lifting people out of poverty,” he explained.

Obi also criticised the government’s spending patterns, accusing the Tinubu administration of extravagant expenditures on luxuries like private jets, while essential sectors such as education and healthcare are underfunded.

He described the removal of fuel subsidies as chaotic and poorly planned, and accused the current administration of excessive borrowing with little to show for it.

“In just two years, this government has borrowed more than the combined administrations of Goodluck Jonathan, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Muhammadu Buhari. Our debt has soared from ₦80 trillion to ₦180 trillion,” he said.

Obi assured that, under his leadership, borrowing would only be used for investments in critical infrastructure—particularly the power sector—citing successful examples from India, Egypt, and Vietnam.

Reiterating his commitment to transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven one, Obi promised significant investment in agriculture and rural development, especially in the northern region, which he called Nigeria’s “greatest asset” due to its extensive land resources.