Peter Obi Not a Threat Ahead of 2027 Elections Says Edo Commissioner
The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, has downplayed the political strength of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate. He said Obi poses no real threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Ohonbamu described Obi as “the least of our worries.” He accused the former Anambra governor of lacking a solid plan or direction for Nigeria’s future.
Ohonbamu argued that whenever Peter Obi is asked what he would do if elected president, he usually gives vague or unclear answers, such as “Let me get there first.” According to the commissioner, this shows that Obi is not ready for national leadership and has no structured policy for tackling the country’s problems.
“If you ask Peter Obi, ‘What would you do when you become president?’ he says, ‘Let me get there first.’ That means there’s no clear plan or agenda. No direction. He doesn’t know how to move the country forward,” Ohonbamu said.
The commissioner went further to say that APC, the ruling party, does not consider Obi or his Labour Party as a major challenge going into the 2027 general elections.
He also questioned the strength of Peter Obi’s support base in Nigeria’s South East, noting that Labour Party only controls one state in the region.
“Look at the South East. Labour Party governs just one state — Abia. The APC is in charge of Imo and Ebonyi. Enugu is governed by PDP, and Anambra is under APGA. So, where is Peter Obi’s stronghold? There’s no real dominance,” Ohonbamu argued.
He described Peter Obi’s political strategy as “struggling in error,” saying the former governor is simply popular on social media and among a limited group of supporters but lacks real political weight across Nigeria.
Ohonbamu also stated that Obi’s chances in the next presidential election are very slim. He compared Obi’s political future to a “fixed deposit,” saying the result of his 2027 campaign is already certain — another defeat.
“His failure in 2027 is already fixed. You can take that to the bank. It’s a guaranteed result,” he added.
These remarks have sparked reactions across the country, especially among Peter Obi’s supporters who believe the former governor is still one of the most trusted political voices in Nigeria.
Peter Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election behind President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is yet to formally announce his 2027 ambition, though he remains active in national conversations.
As political discussions increase ahead of 2027, Ohonbamu’s comments highlight the growing rivalry between the ruling APC and key opposition figures. While the APC appears confident, the next few years will determine whether Obi’s popularity among Nigerian youths and the middle class can translate into real political victory.
