The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has clarified that his involvement in the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections is focused on the fight against bad governance, hunger, and poverty, not personal political ambition.

Obi made this known in response to a question regarding reports of an alleged agreement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to serve as his vice presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

The report also claimed that Atiku had agreed to serve for only one term and was willing to formalise the agreement in writing.

Speaking at an event in Kubwa, Abuja, where he donated to a school and hospital project organised by the Anglican Church, Obi neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such an agreement.

Instead, he emphasised his commitment to the coalition’s mission.

Obi stated, “You can make of the report what you want, but I’m in a coalition against bad governance, hunger, and poverty.”

His remarks underscore his focus on national development and social welfare over political positioning.

Obi was Atiku ‘s vice presidential candidate in 2019 when both were in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but Obi moved over to the Labour Party to run as the party’s candidate.

Both lost out to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress and most political analysts had pointed to their separation as the reason they lost.

Ahead the next election in 2017, both Atiku and Obi are among opposition politicians seeking to unite towards stopping President Tinubu from winning re-election.

In other news, Peter Obi has emphasised that his participation in Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration ceremony in Rome should not be misconstrued as political.

In a statement posted on X (Twitter) on Monday, Obi clarified that the visit was spiritual and aligned with his tradition of attending significant global events.

[Leadership]