By Obasola Olatunde

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his commitment to coalition politics, fiscal discipline, and electoral vigilance as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections.

Obi made these remarks during a widely attended Twitter Space discussion, where members of the Obedient Movement and political stakeholders engaged him on strategies for mobilization, governance, party alignment, and the protection of electoral mandates.

Addressing questions on how the Obedient Movement would be leveraged in the coming elections, Obi stressed that the movement is not built around blind followership but collective sacrifice and shared responsibility.

“Nobody is a follower. The movement is a journey, and we are all in it together,” Obi said. “It is a sacrifice, and when it matters, you can boldly say you were there.”

He noted that the worsening socio economic conditions in the country demand greater commitment from citizens, adding that the movement must now work harder and remain forward looking.

“We are not meant to look back but to look forward. The country is not getting better, and this is the time to intensify our efforts,” he added.

Nigeria Needs Managers, Not Looters
Speaking on governance and public finance, Obi identified poor management and the normalization of greed as Nigeria’s biggest challenges.

He argued that the country does not suffer from lack of resources but from leaders who fail to manage public funds prudently.

“The biggest problem of this country is fiscal rascality,” he said. “Nigeria is looking for managers to manage our resources, not the other way around.”

Obi emphasized that educational qualifications alone are not a guarantee of integrity, insisting that discipline, transparency, and accountability are more important qualities for public office holders.

He cited his tenure as governor of Anambra State, pointing to fiscal discipline and economic stability achieved during his administration as proof that good governance is possible.

On political affiliation, Obi confirmed his involvement with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a coalition platform formed by opposition forces determined to unseat the current government and rescue Nigeria’s democracy.

He described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a respected leader and brother but dismissed speculation about personal ambition or positions within the coalition.

“I have been part of ADC from inception as a coalition. We came together to save our democracy,” Obi said. “Atiku remains a leader I respect, but I am going into ADC to work as a family.”

According to Obi, his focus remains on building a progressive Nigeria that guarantees access to quality education, efficient healthcare, and economic opportunities capable of lifting millions out of poverty.

He also revealed that his political ideology has been shaped by visits to countries that have outperformed Nigeria, where he studied governance systems and development models that could be adapted locally.

Responding to concerns about electoral integrity, Obi admitted that past elections exposed weaknesses but said valuable lessons had been learned.

“We have learned from our mistakes, and moving forward, we must do things differently,” he said.

He assured supporters that the Obedient Movement would adopt a more strategic, organized, and vigilant approach ahead of 2027, emphasizing grassroots engagement and unity as critical tools for protecting the people’s mandate.

Obi’s remarks have renewed conversations within opposition circles about coalition politics, governance reform, and citizen participation, as Nigeria inches closer to another defining electoral contest in 2027.