Oby Ezekwesili Backs Peter Obi Again Ahead of 2027

(Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Photo Credit: Businessday)

Former Education Minister Dr Oby Ezekwesili has reaffirmed her backing for Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, whilst simultaneously calling for a fundamental shift in national governance that prioritises human dignity and rectifies the political system’s failure to enhance citizens’ quality of life.

Speaking on a television programme on Monday, Ezekwesili, who previously served as World Bank Vice President for Africa, co-founded the #BringBackOurGirls initiative and established the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, stated that the leadership criteria she employed when selecting her preferred candidate in the 2023 presidential race remain applicable.

She maintained that Obi would still rank higher than other contenders when assessed against these standards, noting that his candidacy has strengthened rather than weakened since her earlier endorsement.

Ezekwesili cautioned against reducing the discourse surrounding Nigeria’s future to a singular personality focus, stressing her concern lies with systemic structures rather than individual figures.

She expressed alarm over the diminished regard for human dignity within the nation, emphasising that the citizenry must exercise electoral power on their own behalf rather than awaiting external leadership choices.

The former two-time education minister criticised the notion that Nigeria’s current trajectory represents an inevitable destiny, characterising it instead as a deliberate construct requiring comprehensive redesign.

She argued that the present system has demonstrably failed and necessitates fundamental restructuring.

She urged capable Nigerians to pursue political positions across all governance levels municipal, state and federal as agents of this necessary transformation.