The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, does not require a coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or support from political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to win the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, described Obi as a formidable and widely accepted candidate, fully capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in a free and fair contest.

“Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win in 2027. He is a sellable candidate,” Ndubuaku stated. “If you recall, he was already coasting to victory in 2023 before the controversial glitches. He even defeated Tinubu in his stronghold of Lagos. That alone shows Nigerians want him in power.”

He dismissed speculation about Obi rejoining the PDP, branding the party as a “crisis-ridden and near-empty platform.”

“No serious candidate will consider the PDP viable at this point,” Ndubuaku asserted. “Obi is a disciplined man. If people are suggesting he returns to the PDP, on what basis? Compare both parties—while the Labour Party’s internal issues have been resolved by the Supreme Court, the PDP is still battling a hydra-headed crisis. Moving from LP to PDP would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.”

Ndubuaku added that Obi’s national appeal and international credibility give him a unique advantage.

“For as long as INEC conducts a free and fair election, he will win. He also has local and international goodwill to leverage,” he said.

His remarks come days after the Obidients Movement reaffirmed its unwavering support for Obi, regardless of the platform he chooses for 2027.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the movement’s National Coordinator, emphasized that Nigeria is in desperate need of rescue, and insisted that Obi remains the only credible candidate to lead the country out of its economic turmoil.

Echoing Tanko’s sentiment, Ndubuaku warned against the influence of zoning politics or regional concerns, insisting that Obi’s track record and competence outweigh any perceived imbalance.

“The only concern some people have is that if Obi wins, he might serve a full eight-year term, which the North fears could affect zoning arrangements. But we know Obi doesn’t need eight years to start reviving Nigeria—he’s not desperate for power,” he said.