Politics
‘Very slim chances’ – Peter Obi speaks of contesting for president in 2031
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has explained why he is unlikely to contest for the presidency again in 2031.
Obi said the country’s informal power rotation arrangement between the North and the South would largely determine whether he seeks the nation’s highest office beyond 2027.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra State governor said the chances of him contesting in 2031 are “very slim.”
According to him, if the presidency returns to the North after the 2027 election, it would likely remain there until 2035, by which time he would be about 78 years old when power is expected to rotate back to the South.
Asked whether he would run again if unsuccessful in 2027, Obi said:
“For me, it depends on what happens. I don’t want to say it because people might think that I’m saying it because of some people.
“You will not believe it, this morning a secondary school boy asked me, ‘If you run this time, will you run again?’ I said no, and he asked why.
“I told him that if I don’t become president now, by the next time it comes, believing in the zoning formula, it will go to the North. If it goes to the North in 2031, by the time it comes back to the South, I will be 78 years old, and I don’t think I would be doing this at that age.”
Obi, however, noted that the situation could change if the presidency remains in the South after the 2027 election.
“If it’s still in the South in the next election, maybe. But the probability is very slim. I don’t know until after the outcome of the 2027 election,” he added.
Follow Us on Google Discover
2027: NDC accuses INEC of replacing candidates with ‘unknown names’
Sultex, Goddessa exits BBNaija House
Bruno Fernandes scores hat-trick as Man United thrash Ipswich 5-2
Tinubu drags South Africa to African Union over xenophobia
TETFund opens N10bn 2026 grant for researchers (How to apply)
Alonso’s Chelsea secure 4-3 win over Brighton in Stamford Bridge
US google maps displays Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’
2027: APC National Secretary Basiru visits Adeleke in Osun
2027: Southeast Group seeks Igbo Elders’ intervention to persuade Peter Obi to back Tinubu
Troops eliminate suspected terrorist, recover two AK-47 rifles in Plateau
Barcelona seal agreement for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus
NABTEB fixes September 10 as deadline for 2026 Nov/Dec exam registration
NDLEA seizes N6.2bn drugs concealed in Ghana soap at Lagos airport
JUST IN: Tinubu embarks on three-week annual leave in Europe
Early morning fire razes shops, goods worth millions at Abuja market
FBI complies with deadline, hands Tinubu’s alleged drug trafficking case files to US Judge for ‘for her eyes only’
INEC publishes 2027 Governorship candidates, reveals major contenders across states
Tinubu’s US Records: ADC, NDC challenge Tinubu’s bid to block release, say Nigerians deserve to know the truth
Niger capital hit by heavy gunfire as troops storm presidential palace
Rivers Police detain officers over fatal shooting of commercial driver
‘The child is not mine’ – Juma Jux denies fathering Tanzanian woman’s child
Kidneys for Cash: The disturbing story behind Abuja’s organ-harvesting network
VP Shettima turns 60, rejects birthday celebrations, seeks prayers for Nigeria
Police bust human trafficking syndicate, rescue two Colombian women
‘Nigerian borders are not closed’ – Tunji-Ojo criticises Atiku’s border reopening claims
Popular Peter Obi campaigner Flagboyng dumps NDC, Obidient movement, sets flag ablaze amid rift with ‘Mama P’
Why ICPC declared SGF’s made-in-Nigeria office ‘fake’
‘My friend deceived me into kidney removal, used payment to buy gadgets – Victim
‘It is misleading’ – Hisbah denies restricting Christian worship in Sokoto
