Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared his focus on forming a coalition to combat hunger and poverty ahead of the 2027 elections, dismissing speculations of political office ambitions. Speaking on May 18, 2025, during a visit to Bishop Duke Akamisoko in Kubwa, Obi outlined his vision for a united front to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
Obi emphasized that his coalition is not about securing a political position but tackling systemic issues, with 40% of Nigerians living below the poverty line and 26 million facing acute hunger, per 2024 World Bank data. He cited Nigeria’s healthcare crisis, where 70% of citizens lack access to basic services, and education, with 20 million children out of school, as key targets.
Obi’s remarks follow his 2023 campaign, which secured 6.1 million votes by promising economic reforms, including cutting governance costs by 50%. He criticized the government’s 2025 budget, where 60% of ₦47 trillion is allocated to debt servicing, leaving only 10% for social services.
The former Anambra governor clarified that coalition talks, including with PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, aim to align parties on policy, not power-sharing. Nigeria’s political landscape, with 80% of voters seeking change per a 2024 NOI Polls survey, favors such alliances, but 65% of Labour Party members prefer independence, per a 2024 Lagos study. Obi’s coalition plans include a 2026 summit to draft a “People’s Charter” for food security, targeting a 30% reduction in hunger by 2030.