Why 2027 could be my last presidential race — Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said the 2027 presidential election could be his final race at Nigeria’s highest office, citing age and his belief that younger Nigerians should be given the opportunity to lead.

Obi made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, where he reflected on his political future.

Asked whether the 2027 election would be his last presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the decision would largely depend on the outcome of the poll but indicated he was nearing the end of his political journey.

“It depends on who wins,” Obi said.

ALSO READ: 2027: I’ll support anyone who can fix Nigeria — Peter Obi

“But I can tell you, I’m coming to the end of it because I believe that the younger ones should be allowed.”

The former Labour Party presidential candidate explained that advancing age would make it increasingly difficult to cope with the demands of the presidency.

“I’ll be 68 or 69. So, if you add that to another eight years, I will be 77 or 78. I don’t think I’ll have the energy I have today because that capacity is very important. It’s critical,” he said.

Obi said while the outcome of the 2027 election would influence his next political move, he remained convinced that the country must begin creating more opportunities for younger leaders to take charge.

The former governor contested the 2019 election as the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party alongside Atiku Abubakar before emerging as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Obi became the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress after leaving the African Democratic Congress.