Peter Obi Says, "If I See Someone Who Will Perform Better, I'm Ready To Be Vice President."

Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has indicated his openness to accepting a vice-presidential position, provided he identifies a candidate who can outperform him in that role. In a recent exclusive interview with New Central TV, monitored by Gistcore, the former governor of Anambra emphasized that his primary goal is to advance Nigeria's progress in the upcoming 2027 general election. When asked about the likelihood of his acceptance of a vice-presidential candidacy in 2027, Obi remarked, “To be candid, I am not driven by a desire to become the president of Nigeria. My true aspiration is to see Nigeria thrive. If I encounter individuals who are more capable of fulfilling that role, I would consider the vice-presidential position.” He further noted that some individuals have advised him against running in 2027, to which he responded, “I encourage them to put themselves forward. We should not evaluate everyone on the same scale.” Obi reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party but expressed a willingness to explore alliances with other politicians if their objectives align with his political vision. He stated, “I will remain with the Labour Party, and if anyone approaches us for negotiations or collaboration, they must articulate their intentions clearly. I will not align with anyone for the sake of political gain or electoral victory. I seek to understand how we can ensure that no child is left behind and how we can reintegrate the millions of out-of-school children into the educational system.” The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, has formally requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) conduct an investigation into Peter Obi, activist Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and the leaders of the pan-Yoruba organization, Afenifere, regarding the alleged misappropriation of campaign funds during the 2023 elections. During a press conference held in Abeokuta, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, expressed serious concerns about the misallocation of over N12 billion and $15 million in donations intended for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign in 2023. The leadership of the party has accused Aisha Yesufu and Ighodalo of collaborating with Obi to misappropriate campaign contributions. Arabambi characterized Obi as a “political merchant,” claiming he orchestrated the fraudulent management of these funds. He further criticized Yesufu’s recent public statements in her defense, labeling them as efforts to obscure the truth. The allegations also implicated Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, whom Arabambi accused of holding over N600 million in private accounts. He asserted that these funds were originally designated for the party’s campaign but were misappropriated under Obi’s guidance.