“I am not desperate to be president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work.” — Peter Obi
On June 29, 2025, Nigerian politics witnessed what many say is a watershed moment. Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, participated in a live X (formerly Twitter) Space session hosted by @ParallelFacts under the hashtag #PeterObiOnParallelFacts. The session was attended by over 10,000 live participants and generated nearly 3,000 comments, offering an unfiltered window into Obi’s political philosophy, his critique of current leadership, and his vision for Nigeria.
This wasn’t just another campaign event, it was an unscripted, three-hour digital town hall that broke from the conventional mold of political appearances. In an age of soundbites and evasive messaging, Obi leaned into something rare: direct, unfiltered dialogue.
Rather than reading rehearsed statements or relying on handlers, he fielded live questions from Nigerians across the world, tackling issues like zoning, security, economic hardship, foreign policy, and the swirling rumours about a 2027 coalition with Atiku Abubakar. The tone felt more like a national check-in than a political rally.
“It was raw, unscripted, and face-to-face,” one participant said. The tone was less like a politician preaching and more like a public servant explaining.
The One-Term Promise That Shocked Everyone
Perhaps the most defining moment came when Obi addressed zoning and coalition expectations:
“If the agreement is one term, I will leave on May 28, 2031—not even May 29.”
The precision of that statement, offering to exit even a day early, signalled a commitment to honouring coalition agreements, particularly the zoning principle that rotates power across Nigeria’s regions. It wasn’t just rhetoric; it was strategy and sacrifice rolled into one.
Why this matters: In a country where incumbents often resist handing over power, Obi’s public commitment to a single term makes him a political outlier and a potential game changer ahead of the 2027 elections.
“St. Lucia Has Fewer People Than Ajegunle”
In a move likely to rattle the Presidency, Obi condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to St. Lucia as tone-deaf and ill-timed:
“You’re traveling to St. Lucia, a country with fewer people than Ajegunle, while our soldiers are dying. That’s out of touch.”
He cited the over 59 days President Tinubu has spent abroad this year, contrasting that with escalating insecurity in states like Niger, Zamfara, and Benue. He questioned why a leader should prioritise international engagements when the domestic house is “on fire.”
“You can’t build strong international relations when your domestic house is on fire.”
On Domestic Crises: “Be There for Your People”
Obi’s message centred on presence, empathy, and responsibility. He referenced the recent killing of 17 soldiers in Niger State, the ongoing mass killings in Benue and Zamfara, and economic hardship nationwide.
“Leadership is not about flying jets. It’s about compassion,” he said, recalling his time as Anambra governor when he attended funerals of unknown victims and showed up during disasters.
He criticised the president for commissioning celebrations in Lagos while soldiers were being buried, saying leadership should never be tone-deaf to tragedy.
On 2027 and the Atiku Question
Addressing widespread speculation, Obi denied reports of ongoing negotiations with Atiku Abubakar for a 2027 joint ticket.
“If the coalition is about sharing tickets and power for its sake, count me out. I’m not interested.”
He clarified that no formal merger talks have happened and that any coalition must focus on solutions, not political arithmetic.
“We haven’t rejected any merger. It’s not about rejection, it’s about priorities. First, fix the country. Then talk politics.”
Motivation for Leadership
When a participant named “Balactic” asked whether he was running for office again, Obi replied with what might become his new rallying cry:
“I am not desperate to be president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work.”
He added that his leadership goal is not to decorate his CV but to “prove leadership can be different, effective, compassionate, and present.”
Obi’s X Space at a Glance
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Participants | Over 10,000 live listeners |
| Coalition & Zoning | Pledged to leave on May 28, 2031 if one-term deal is agreed |
| Presidential Desperation | “I want Nigeria to work, not just to be president” |
| Tinubu Critique | Condemned St. Lucia trip; cited 59+ days abroad |
| Domestic Focus | Urged leaders to prioritise killings, hunger, insecurity |
| Leadership Style | Emphasised humility, compassion, tragedy response |
| Atiku Coalition | Denied talks; supports issue-based, not power-sharing alliances |
Obi’s performance solidified him as both a policy-driven leader and a potential kingmaker. His conditional openness to coalitions reshapes how opposition unity could look heading into 2027. He may not lead a merger, but he may define its terms.
His pointed critique of Tinubu’s foreign travels and silence during crises gives the opposition a clear attack line. His ability to command digital spaces and generate real-time political traction makes him a credible challenger.
Obi’s one-term promise, anti-elitist rhetoric, and digital-first strategy position him as a candidate built for younger, reform-hungry voters. Whether this translates into votes across all regions remains to be seen.
A New Era of Digital Politics?
Perhaps the most important innovation wasn’t what Obi said, but how he said it. The use of X Spaces allowed thousands of Nigerians to engage in real-time, ask unscripted questions, and hold a national figure accountable on their terms.
If this becomes the new standard, the real winner could be Nigerian democracy itself.
Peter Obi’s June 29 X Space wasn’t just a digital spectacle, it was a masterclass in modern political communication. Unscripted, data-rich, and people-focused, it offered a glimpse of what political accountability could look like in Nigeria’s future.
Whether he runs in 2027 or plays coalition architect, one thing is clear: Obi’s political relevance is far from fading. He still wants to fix Nigeria and he now has a digital army listening.
