Obi: I’ll only be part of a merger if it makes Nigeria better

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says he will only be part of a merger of political parties if it is geared towards making Nigeria better.

Speaking in an interview with NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV, Obi said he is not interested in the merger of parties merely for the purpose of winning elections or just for state capture.

Recently, there have been speculations that the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other opposition parties may coalesce ahead of the 2027 election.

On May 17, Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate in the last election, said he will support Obi if the parties merge and cede the ticket to the south-east region.

Obi and Abubakar lost the 2023 election to Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The duo contested the 2019 presidential election on a joint PDP ticket — with Obi as Abubakar’s running mate.

Speaking during the interview, Obi commended Abubakar for saying he will support him if the 2027 presidency is zoned to the south-east.

“On the issue of merger… coming together of parties, I always say as long as any merger or coming together is for a better Nigeria, a new Nigeria, for governing properly, I’m for it,” Obi said.

“If it is just a merger for elections or state capture, I’m not part of it. I’m not desperate to be president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor people.

“We have a lot of potential. So if the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly or unlock all these things that will make Nigeria a better place, I’m for it.

“It might be at the party or individual level. But we must come together to build a better Nigeria.”