The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given a condition under which he would concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election.
Obi said he would concede the 2027 presidential election if the process is free, fair and credible.
The former Anambra State governor made this known during an interview with Arise Television aired on Thursday.
Asked if he would concede the 2027 election, Obi said: “If the election is free, fair, and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve them, and I will respect the will of the people because that’s democracy.”
Obi also ruled out withdrawing from the 2027 presidential election to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former Anambra State governor said the discussion surrounding the 2027 presidential election had moved beyond a decision between him and Atiku as individuals.
Obi explained that both politicians are now presidential candidates of different political parties, making any possible agreement a matter for the parties involved rather than a personal decision between the two men.
His position comes amid ongoing talks among opposition political parties seeking to form a coalition and possibly settle on a consensus candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
Obi and Atiku have a history of working together politically.
Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election before later becoming the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election.
The NDC candidate also rejected reports that he had turned down an offer to become Atiku’s running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
According to Obi, the alleged offer could not have been rejected by him because he was not in a political position where such an offer was presented to him.
He further said the current political discussions should not be reduced to negotiations between individual politicians, as several political parties have their own candidates and interests ahead of the election.
Obi also said he remained open to working with other political groups if their objective was to address the problems facing Nigerians.
He said any political arrangement he supports must focus on improving the country’s economy, creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty and making basic services more effective.
The former governor listed education and healthcare among the areas that should receive attention under any political coalition formed ahead of the 2027 election.
He said his interest was in being part of an arrangement capable of making Nigeria more productive and improving the living conditions of citizens, particularly young Nigerians and people struggling with poverty.
