Prominent activist and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has issued a strong warning to former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against accepting a vice-presidential slot ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu, a vocal supporter of Obi during the 2023 presidential race, stated unequivocally that she would actively oppose any political ticket in which Obi is not presented as the presidential candidate. According to her, relegating Obi to a supporting role would amount to a betrayal of the millions of Nigerians who believed in his candidacy and rallied behind his vision for national transformation.
Speaking during a recent public engagement and later amplified on social media, Yesufu argued that Obi remains the most credible, competent, and qualified aspirant to lead Nigeria at a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and governance challenges.
“Peter Obi should never accept a vice-presidential slot. If he does, I will work against that ticket,” Yesufu declared. “You don’t sideline competence and integrity for political convenience.”
She maintained that Obi’s performance in the 2023 elections—where he enjoyed massive youth support and strong grassroots mobilisation despite limited resources—proved that he is a serious national figure whose political relevance has not diminished.
Yesufu further warned against what she described as a recurring Nigerian political culture in which progressive candidates are pressured to step down for so-called ‘established’ political actors in the name of alliances or power-sharing arrangements.
“Nigeria cannot continue recycling the same failed ideas and expecting different results,” she said. “If Peter Obi is serious about the future of this country, he must insist on running for president, not deputy.”
Her comments have since sparked intense debate across political circles and social media platforms, with supporters of Obi largely backing her stance, while critics accuse her of promoting political rigidity that could weaken opposition chances in 2027.
As discussions around alliances, party realignments, and potential candidates for the next general election gather momentum, neither Peter Obi nor the Labour Party has officially declared a position on the 2027 race. However, Yesufu’s remarks underscore growing pressure from Obi’s core supporters who believe his political journey should culminate in the presidency—not a vice-presidential role.
With 2027 still two years away, the statement adds a new layer to Nigeria’s evolving political calculations and signals that any attempt to draft Obi into a secondary position may face stiff resistance from his most ardent backers.
