By John Audu.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, has clarified his stance on political coalitions in Nigeria. Following reports that he rejected the idea of a coalition with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders, Obi took to his official X account to address what he described as a misrepresentation of his views.
During a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, Obi emphasized that he is not against coalitions, but he insists that any such alliance must prioritize the welfare of ordinary Nigerians rather than merely seeking power for its own sake. He articulated his belief that discussions around governance should focus on critical issues such as healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.
He wrote, “I have observed that my honest interview yesterday was misquoted by many media outlets, creating a false narrative that misrepresents my position. Let me set the record straight. I am not against coalition. In truth, I am for it, not for a power grab but to position Nigeria for greatness.
“I have not, and will never advocate for any coalition or alliance that does not prioritise the welfare and progress of the ordinary Nigerian.
“Any discussion about governance must be centred on what it means for everyday Nigerians and how it will address critical issues such as access to quality healthcare and education and pulling people out of poverty.
“Too often in our nation’s history, individuals and groups have come together solely for the purpose of taking power for power’s sake. Such endeavours, devoid of genuine purpose and vision, have only deepened our challenges, leaving the ordinary Nigerian to bear the brunt of bad governance. This is what I stand firmly against.
“Leadership must be about service, not self-interest. As I have always maintained, the New Nigeria is possible.
“But it requires us to change the way we think about power. It is not about grabbing it; it is about using it responsibly to transform lives and secure a brighter future for generations to come.”
