Presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has downplayed speculations surrounding a possible 2027 presidential ambition by former President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that he is focused on rebuilding Nigeria rather than worrying about potential opponents.
Obi made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after undergoing the NDC presidential screening exercise in Abuja, a process that reportedly lasted for more than two hours.
Reacting to reports suggesting that Jonathan could contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obi stated that democracy allows every qualified citizen to seek public office.
“Actually, I’m not aware of that. But democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that he was not preoccupied with monitoring who may or may not join the race ahead of the next general election.
“I’m not in any way going around looking for who and who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria,” Obi added.
Speaking further, Obi outlined what he described as his core priorities for the country, emphasizing national unity, security, economic recovery, and the fight against corruption.
According to him, Nigeria must first become a united nation where all citizens feel included regardless of ethnicity or religion.
“We have to govern the country by the constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates federal character and inclusivity. The country must be united. The country must be secure,” he stated.
Obi also lamented the growing insecurity across the country, noting that many Nigerians now live in fear due to kidnappings and violent crimes.
“We want to see where mothers can no longer fear when their children go to school or work. We also want to know where we can travel all over Nigeria without fear,” he said.
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate also defended the lengthy NDC screening process, describing it as evidence that the party was committed to transparency and democratic principles.
“This is democracy in action because the NDC chooses to do things properly. So when we say this is going to be a screening, it has to be done right,” Obi explained.
He added that the process was necessary to verify the qualifications, credentials, and integrity of aspirants seeking to lead the country.
“Nigerians want to know whether you meet the stipulated constitutional qualification and provide relevant documents to back them,” he noted.
Obi further dismissed reports claiming he had already emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the party following alleged consultations with party stakeholders.
According to him, the process remains open, as the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms had only recently begun.
“The party just opened up their expression of interest and nomination forms for people to buy. So there is no consensus yet,” he said.
“Although I bought the forms, I don’t know other people who bought. So until the party says I’m the only one who expressed interest, that’s it,” Obi added.
