Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has issued a warning to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election.
In a viral video released on Monday, September 16, Yesufu declared that she would actively campaign against Obi if he were to become vice president under another candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Yesufu questioned the recurring trend of expecting the best candidates to settle for secondary roles, asking, “Why must we always ask the most capable to be second in line?”
This warning comes in response to recent reports of Obi expressing a willingness to serve as vice president if the opportunity arose with a more qualified candidate. In an interview with News Central, Obi stated his openness to collaborating with other politicians, including Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for the betterment of Nigeria.
However, Obi clarified these statements on Saturday via his official X account, denying any intention to serve as vice president in 2027. He emphasized that his focus remains on addressing Nigeria’s immediate issues like hunger and insecurity, not on future elections.
Nigerians have reacted to Yesufu’s statement, with some questioning her motives and suggesting that her threat could lead to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election. Others argue that a merger or collaboration between opposition leaders is necessary to defeat the APC and improve the country’s situation.
Key Reactions from Nigerians
Nkiruka Nistoran wrote: “Dear @AishaYesufu I deeply admire your dedication, but on this matter, I respectfully disagree. @PeterObi has consistently stated that he’s not desperate to become president, but seeing Nigeria work. Every right-thinking human being will support him if it helps to remove APC from power.”
Le-Prince du Nord @lekisaki wrote: “Tinubu was a former Governor. Had one state. Was willing to be VP to Buhari. When people like Sàràkí blocked it, he bided his time and waited eight long years. Now, he’s ‘reaping the benefits’. People have to be careful to not overrate themselves.”
Onyedikachuku @OnyedikaAnambra wrote: “Agenda don start. Peter Obi is a politician and not an activist.”
Simon @neti_listen wrote: “We must tell ourselves the hard truth, a merger is needed if we must rescue Nigeria from APC, Lets put aside emotions. If it means for Obi to wait for a little longer, so be it. Politics is calculation and not emotion.”
Eric Noble: “We need to be careful not to repeat the mistakes of 2015, where we were so focused on removing PDP that we didn’t look closely at who replaced them.”
felix yohanna @felixyohan62072 wrote: Note; Some genuinely want Peter obi to be president, they won’t mind if it happens through deputizing for now. Others using the moves to make money, and they know a merger may religate them to the background. If you love Nigeria, any colabo that remove will APC, you will support
Ezekiel Akpala @IamrealEzekiel wrote: Nigeria situation now , needs a defeat of APC. We must relax if Obi can be VP for that to be achieved, let’s join hand and do it instead of this continuous hardship in Nigeria by APC.
The debate over whether Peter Obi should collaborate as a Vice President or hold out for the presidency continues to divide Nigerians, with many arguing that defeating the APC should be the priority, while others caution against short-term solutions.
