Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged Nigerians to unite behind what he called an “Operation Rescue Nigeria” ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the effort is about securing the country’s future after decades of poor governance.
Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 general election and former governor of Anambra State, spoke Saturday in Uyo at a conference of his supporters, known as the Obidient movement, where he also declared for the African Democratic Congress.
Addressing supporters under the theme “Activating the PO Effect in ADC,” Obi called for unity across political and regional lines and emphasized the need for credible elections in 2027.
“Nigeria must get it right in 2027,” he said. “Election results must be transmitted online in real time, and whoever fails to transmit results will be transmitted. Democracy must work.”
Obi said he left the Labour Party after concluding that the Independent National Electoral Commission would not recognize the party’s leadership and that the federal government did not want him on the ballot.
“I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom,” he said, adding that if authorities failed to transmit results electronically, “we will transmit it for them.”
The electoral commission has not publicly responded to Obi’s claims.
Obi also criticized the current administration for what he described as unprecedented borrowing, warning that much of the debt would be repaid between 2045 and 2050.
“The current administration has collected more loans than every other administration, and most of these loans will be repaid between 2045 and 2050,” he said, arguing that future generations would bear the burden.
He pledged that, if elected, he would prioritize investment in education and health care and work to reduce poverty and criminality. He said he would tour higher institutions across the country to assess challenges firsthand.
On corruption, Obi cited his record as governor of Anambra State, saying he did not allocate government land to himself or his family and discouraged his wife from assuming the role of first lady because she was not elected.
Supporters at the event vowed to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of 2027. Tanko Yunusa, global coordinator of the Obidient movement, urged members to strengthen structures at ward and polling unit levels and align with the African Democratic Congress.
“In 2027, you will either count the votes correctly, or you will be counted,” Yunusa said, calling on supporters to defend their votes.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to take place amid renewed debate over electoral reforms, transparency and the role of opposition parties in Nigeria’s democracy.
