Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has addressed speculations of a feud between him and President Bola Tinubu, stating emphatically that he is not in conflict with the president or any political figure. Instead, Obi stressed that his focus remains on combating bad governance, poverty, and the pressing social issues facing Nigeria.
The statement comes in the wake of viral photos showing Obi exchanging pleasantries with President Tinubu and former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, during a solemn mass at the Vatican held to mark the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy. Responding to questions about the public reaction to those images, Obi dismissed the idea of political rivalry, saying, “President Tinubu and I are not fighting. I am not fighting anybody. My fight is against bad governance, hunger, poverty, out-of-school children menace.”
He added that politics for him is not about attaining power or position but about doing what is right for the people. Emphasizing the need for responsible leadership, Obi called for greater investment in public welfare, especially education and healthcare. “This country has less than 10% health insurance care; it should be 100%. These teachers teaching here should be paid by Government because it is Universal Basic Education. The law says our children should go to school free. What My Lord is doing here is helping Government, hence Government should help him. That’s what I did in Anambra State.”
When asked about the rumoured alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a possible one-term deal, Obi declined to delve into political speculation. “Whatever you make of it, I can tell you, I, Peter, have told you where I stand,” he said. “I just came back this morning. I didn’t go to talk about politics. I am talking about the education of these children. In this country, we talk about politics and abandon what we should be talking about.”
Obi concluded by stating that the only coalition he is interested in is one against poverty and hunger and for better health and education in Nigeria.
