Thursday June 18, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Our REPORTER
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi has said he may not run for president again after the 2027 election.
He made this known during an interview on Nevon HQ, where he spoke about a question from a secondary school student.
The student had asked if he would still contest for the presidency again if he runs in 2027 and does not win.
Obi explained that his thinking is shaped by Nigeria’s zoning system, which moves power between the North and the South.
The former Anambra Governor noted that if he contests in 2027 and loses, the presidency may move to the North in 2031 under the usual arrangement.
Obi added that by the time power could return to the South after that cycle, he would be around 78 years old.
Because of that, he said he does not see himself still actively seeking the office at that stage of life, making 2027 likely his final attempt.
He said: “I was asked by a secondary school student if I still intend to run for president again if I contest in 2027 and don’t win, and I said my answer depends on how things play out.
“I explained that Nigeria operates a zoning system where power rotates between the North and the South, and that arrangement plays a big role in political decisions. If I contest in 2027 and do not win, there is a chance that the presidency may move to the North in 2031.
“I added that by the time it comes back to the South after that cycle, I will be around 78 years old, and I do not see myself actively pursuing the office at that age. My thinking is that 2027 could be my last serious attempt, based on the way the system is structured. Politics can change, and if the presidency remains in the South after 2027, there may still be a small possibility of another run, although it is not something I am counting on.”
