The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he may not seek the presidency after the 2027 general election.
The former Anambra State governor cited Nigeria’s zoning arrangement and his age as the main reasons. He said both factors make another presidential bid after 2027 unlikely.
Obi made the remarks during an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni. He responded to questions about his political future beyond the next general election.
Obi says 2027 outcome will shape his decision
Asked if he would contest again after a possible defeat in 2027, Obi said his decision would depend on what happens after the election.
He added that the zoning of the presidency ahead of 2031 would also influence his next move.
The former governor said he avoided making definite statements because people could easily misunderstand his comments.
“For me, it depends on what happens. I don’t want to say it because people might think that I’m saying it because of some people,” Obi said.
According to him, the issue is not only about personal ambition. It is also about respecting Nigeria’s long-standing zoning principle.
Why another bid may not happen
Obi recalled a conversation with a secondary school student who asked whether he would run again if he failed to win in 2027.
He said he explained that waiting for another election cycle could end his presidential ambition.
According to him, the presidency would most likely return to the North after the 2027 election.
“I said because if I don’t run now, by the next time it comes, believing in the zoning formula, it will go to the North,” he said.
Obi explained that if power returns to the North in 2031, another opportunity for a southern candidate may not come for several years.
He said he would be about 78 years old by then.
“If it goes North in 2031, by the time it comes again to the South, I will be 78 years old, and I don’t think I would be doing this at that age.”
Obi leaves room for another possibility
Despite his remarks, Obi did not completely rule out another presidential contest.
He said another bid could become possible if the presidency remains in the South after the 2027 election.
However, he described that possibility as unlikely.
“If it’s still in the South in the next election, maybe, but the probability is very slim. I don’t know until after the outcome of the 2027 election.”
He said he would only make a final decision after seeing the outcome of the 2027 election.
Zoning remains a major issue
Obi’s remarks highlight the continued influence of Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement on presidential politics.
Although the principle is not contained in the Constitution, political parties continue to consider it when choosing presidential candidates.
His comments suggest that the outcome of the 2027 election and the future of zoning will determine whether he ever seeks the presidency again.
