Obi nomination sets up Nigeria's three-way election rematch
The former two-term governor of southeastern Anambra state was named as the candidate by an upstart political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Saturday.
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (C) displays his certificate of return as the flag bearer of his party after emerging victorious during the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential primary election at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Light Oriye Tamunotonye / AFP)
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LAGOS — Nigerian opposition leader Peter Obi will stand as a candidate in the country's next presidential election, setting up a rematch of the three-way contest that defined the last poll.
The former two-term governor of southeastern Anambra state was named as the candidate by an upstart political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Saturday.
The party officially registered in February.
"No nation can thrive when citizens can no longer sleep with their eyes closed," Obi said after accepting his nomination, referring to Nigeria's ongoing security challenges.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), speaks after being affirmed as the party's flag bearer during the NDC Special Convention in Abuja on May 30, 2026. (Photo by Light Oriye Tamunotonye / AFP)
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last week nominated President Bola Tinubu for re-election after he won more than 10 million votes in the party's primary.
Widespread discontent with Tinubu's economic reforms that marked much of his first term, which the government and analysts say have revived the economy and attracted investors, as well as worsening security, may hamper his bid for re-election.
But the opposition is in disarray, and the disunity among them may just hand Tinubu an easy victory.
The emergence of Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) sets the stage for a three-way contest that could split the opposition vote and boost Tinubu's bid for a second four-year term.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. (FILE / AFP)
Tinubu won the 2023 poll with 36.6 percent of the vote. Abubakar took 29 percent and Obi 25 percent, riding on the back of his social media-driven Obidient Movement.
The former governor of Kano state in northern Nigeria, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who won just over six percent, is expected to be named as Obi's running mate, according to local media.
The three Tinubu challengers initially banded together in an ADC-led coalition.
The wheels came off the idea of a united opposition a few weeks ago, when Obi and Kwankwaso switched parties to join the NDC, as their supporters rallied around what they have dubbed the "OK" movement.