Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Minister of Education and co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Oby Ezekwesili, has publicly reaffirmed her support for Peter Obi ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, firmly ruling out the possibility of backing either Atiku Abubakar or Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a recent media appearance that has since gained traction across social media platforms, Ezekwesili was unequivocal in articulating her political position. Reflecting on Nigeria’s evolving political landscape and the trajectories of major political actors, she stated that her preference remains unchanged from the 2023 presidential election.
“I’ll repeat it again, it’s Peter Obi. I mean there’s no way I can cast a vote for an Atiku or a Bola Tinubu,” she said during the interview, emphasizing that her choice is rooted in principles of accountability and governance reform.
Ezekwesili argued that Obi’s appeal lies in his perceived accessibility and relatability to ordinary Nigerians. According to her, supporters of the former Anambra State governor are motivated not by patronage networks or entrenched party structures, but by a belief that he represents a break from traditional political patterns. She suggested that if elected in 2027, Obi would be more directly accountable to citizens because his political capital derives largely from grassroots mobilization rather than established political machinery.
Her remarks come at a time when political conversations in Nigeria are intensifying, even though formal campaigning for 2027 remains years away. Across party lines, stakeholders are recalibrating alliances and testing narratives in anticipation of the next electoral cycle. While no official nominations have been concluded, early positioning by influential voices has begun shaping public discourse.
Ezekwesili’s latest comments reinforce her stance from the 2023 election, when she was openly supportive of Obi’s candidacy under the Labour Party platform. The 2023 contest saw Obi galvanize a significant base of young and urban voters under what became widely known as the “Obidient” movement, a decentralized grassroots coalition that leveraged social media and civic networks to mobilize support.
Analysts note that Ezekwesili’s endorsement may help sustain Obi’s relevance among segments of the intelligentsia, policy reform advocates and civil society organizations. As a former vice president of the World Bank’s Africa division and a longstanding governance reform campaigner, she commands credibility in public policy debates. Her continued support signals alignment between technocratic reform advocates and the political reform agenda associated with Obi’s candidacy.
However, critics argue that political momentum in Nigeria can shift rapidly, particularly as economic conditions evolve. The administration of President Tinubu has continued to implement sweeping economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange adjustments, policies the government maintains are essential for long-term fiscal stability. The impact of these reforms on inflation, employment and household incomes may shape voter sentiment closer to 2027.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, who has contested multiple presidential elections, remains an influential figure within the People’s Democratic Party. Though he has not formally declared intentions regarding 2027, his political network remains active. The interplay among these leading figures underscores the fluidity of Nigeria’s political terrain.
Supporters of Obi have already amplified Ezekwesili’s remarks, framing them as validation of early grassroots organizing efforts. Social media conversations suggest renewed mobilization within pro-Obi circles, though political observers caution that sustained engagement over a multi-year horizon presents structural challenges.
Ezekwesili, for her part, framed her position as a principled rejection of governance models she associates with entrenched party dominance. She emphasized the need for a leadership style anchored in transparency, fiscal discipline and citizen participation. While acknowledging that political competition is inevitable, she maintained that voters must assess candidates through the lens of accountability and reform capacity.
As Nigeria navigates economic restructuring and complex security challenges, political narratives are already beginning to crystallize. Though the 2027 election remains distant, endorsements by prominent civic leaders signal that the contest for public opinion has effectively begun.
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