By Jude Opara
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has indicated that he is unlikely to seek the presidency in 2031, saying Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement and his age would be major determining factors.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni, monitored in Abuja, the former Anambra State governor said the chances of another presidential bid after 2027 are “very slim.”
Obi explained that if the presidency returns to the North in 2031 under the country’s informal zoning arrangement, he would be about 78 years old by the time power rotates back to the South, making another contest unrealistic.
According to him, he recently gave the same explanation to a secondary school student who asked whether he would run again if unsuccessful in the 2027 election.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said his decision would ultimately depend on the outcome of the 2027 election and the direction of Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement.
However, Obi noted that if the presidency remains in the South beyond 2027, the possibility of another presidential contest in 2031 cannot be completely ruled out, although he stressed that such a scenario remains unlikely.
His remarks provide one of his clearest indications yet about his long-term political plans as attention gradually shifts to the 2027 general election.
