Peter Obi won’t run for president on LP ticket, he’ll soon join APC – Bwala
In a bold assertion, Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy, has made a claim that is set to spark significant political discussion. According to Bwala, Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), will soon be leaving the party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential elections.
This declaration, made during an interview on TVC on March 12, has captured the attention of political analysts and the general public. Bwala’s statement suggests a potential shift in the political landscape, particularly within the Labour Party, which has gained substantial traction since Obi’s candidacy during the 2023 election. His comments were also significant because they hint at internal movements within political parties, as well as the possible changing allegiances among influential figures.
Bwala’s comments regarding Peter Obi’s defection are rooted in the notion that prominent figures within the Labour Party are likely to join the APC in the near future. He specifically mentioned that Peter Obi would not run for president on the LP ticket in the next election cycle, alluding to the fact that the Labour Party’s presidential prospects would no longer include the former governor. Bwala went on to say, “Do you know we are emptying the Labour Party? Not because we are asking them to come. Valentine Ozigbo has joined us, Balami has joined us, even Peter Obi will join us.”
Bwala further emphasized that Valentine Ozigbo, who was the LP’s candidate for the Anambra State governorship election in 2021, has already made the transition to the APC. According to Bwala, this move signified the beginning of a larger pattern, with Obi, who had close ties with Ozigbo, set to follow suit. He strongly indicated that Obi’s allegiance was no longer with the Labour Party, thus signaling a shift that would have long-term implications on the dynamics of Nigerian politics.
In a statement that reveals the strategic thinking behind the ruling party, Bwala explained that the APC is not making any overt efforts to attract figures like Obi or Ozigbo. Instead, Bwala claimed that the ruling party was not actively seeking to recruit these politicians, but rather, they were simply witnessing the natural fallout of political shifts. He pointed to the defection of notable figures such as Ozigbo and Balami as part of a broader pattern of defections within the LP.
The idea behind this narrative is that the APC is, in a sense, not pursuing defections, but is simply capitalizing on the growing dissatisfaction or disillusionment among members of the opposition party. The suggestion that Obi will join the APC in the coming months could be seen as an attempt by the ruling party to assert its political strength and dominance, further consolidating its position in anticipation of future elections.
Alongside his comments about Obi’s political future, Bwala also weighed in on the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). While many observers would regard el-Rufai’s departure as a major political move, Bwala dismissed its significance, referring to it as a “media strategy” rather than a serious political shift. He suggested that these kinds of defections were orchestrated in a way to dominate the media space for a short period of time, adding drama to the political narrative.
Bwala seemed to downplay the long-term consequences of el-Rufai’s decision, asserting that, after a brief media frenzy, the parties involved would soon face internal struggles over power-sharing and positions. He hinted that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was merely being used as a platform for political maneuvering, with figures like el-Rufai ultimately seeking to secure positions of influence within the party.
Nasir el-Rufai’s decision to leave the APC came on March 10, 2025, when he publicly cited “conflicting values” with the ruling party as the primary reason for his departure. El-Rufai, a former governor who has been one of the most prominent figures in the APC, had been a vocal supporter of President Tinubu’s administration in the past. However, his exit from the APC reflects deepening divisions within the party as it struggles with internal ideological conflicts.
Bwala’s perspective on el-Rufai’s move reflects a broader pattern of defections in Nigerian politics, particularly among powerful political figures who feel that they can no longer secure influence within the structures of their respective parties. According to Bwala, while el-Rufai’s departure may initially seem like a significant loss for the APC, it is actually part of a calculated strategy that is designed to generate short-term media buzz without causing long-term harm to the party.
If Bwala’s prediction about Peter Obi’s eventual defection proves to be accurate, it would have a number of significant consequences for both the Labour Party and the All Progressives Congress. Peter Obi’s departure would not only weaken the Labour Party’s position in the lead-up to the 2027 elections but also significantly alter the political dynamics of the country.
Obi’s influence in the 2023 presidential election was notable, as he managed to build a wide base of support, particularly among young voters, urban dwellers, and individuals dissatisfied with the traditional political elites. His departure from the Labour Party could send a signal to his supporters that the party is no longer a viable political platform for his presidential aspirations.
For the APC, Obi’s possible entry into the fold could be seen as a strategic move to bolster its support base and expand its appeal to the Nigerian electorate. Obi’s pragmatic, centrist approach to governance could resonate with APC leaders who are keen on projecting a more inclusive and unifying message in the lead-up to 2027.
However, some may argue that Obi’s defection would dilute the unique identity that he cultivated as a candidate focused on the youth and the working-class population. His supporters might view his potential entry into the APC as a betrayal of the principles he espoused during the 2023 campaign.
In the world of Nigerian politics, defections and political realignments are nothing new. However, the potential defection of Peter Obi, one of the most influential figures in recent Nigerian electoral history, would certainly mark a defining moment in the country’s political trajectory. Bwala’s statement has drawn attention to what could become a game-changing shift in the political landscape, one that will likely reverberate throughout the media, public opinion, and party dynamics in the coming years.
Whether or not Obi ultimately joins the APC will depend on a variety of factors, including his own political ambitions, the evolving dynamics within the Labour Party, and the broader national sentiment leading up to the 2027 elections. Nevertheless, the claim made by Bwala has set the stage for heightened political speculation and a renewed focus on the shifting allegiances of key Nigerian political figures as the country prepares for its next presidential contest.
