2027: Obi Vows to Accept Defeat if Election Is Free, Fair, Credible

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to accept defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.

Obi made the statement during an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the decision of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.

According to him, the outcome of a credible election should reflect the will of the people, stressing that accepting such a result is fundamental to democracy.

“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor, however, maintained his position that he won the 2023 presidential election.

Obi said those who conducted the election were aware of what transpired during the exercise, including what he described as a glitch that affected the process.

“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.

Obi Rejects ‘Turn-by-Turn’ Presidency

The NDC candidate also rejected the idea that Nigeria’s presidency should rotate according to tribe or religion.

Responding to questions about the “turn-by-turn” approach to power, Obi argued that competence and qualification should be the primary considerations in choosing the country’s president.

“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction,” he said.

Obi also highlighted his educational background, citing institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia and Kellogg.

He challenged anyone who doubts the authenticity of his academic credentials to verify them, saying he would withdraw from the presidential race if any of the certificates he presented were found to be false.

“You can look at our qualification in terms of training. I’ve been to the best schools from all over the world, from Oxford to Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia, and Kellogg, and I’ve been everywhere, and every certificate I’m showing you is the way it is. If they find anyone wrong, I will drop from the race,” Obi said.

Obi Raises Concern Over Youth Representation

The former governor also criticised what he described as the lack of youth representation in Nigeria’s presidency since independence.

He noted that, in his view, no Nigerian born after 1960 had occupied the presidency, despite repeated assurances that young Nigerians are the leaders of tomorrow.

“Since 1960, nobody born outside 1960 has been president of Nigeria. This is 66 years of independence; no other country in the world has had this happen to, and they tell youths they’re the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Obi said the issue should prompt Nigerians to reconsider the factors used in determining who is qualified to lead the country, particularly as the nation heads towards the 2027 presidential election.