The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says he may consider another presidential bid in 2031 if the presidency remains in the South after the 2027 election.
Obi, however, said the chances of contesting in 2031 are "very slim," noting that his decision would depend on the outcome of the 2027 election and Nigeria's zoning arrangement.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra State governor explained that if the presidency rotates to the North in 2031, he would be 78 years old by the time power is expected to return to the South, making another presidential ambition unlikely.
"If I don't run now, by the next time it comes, believing in the zoning formula it will go to the North and if it goes North in 2031, by the time it comes again to the South, I will be 78 years old and I don't think I would be doing this at that age," Obi said.
Obi disclosed that the issue came up after a secondary school student asked whether he would contest again if he failed to win the 2027 presidential election.
"A secondary school boy asked me this morning, 'If you run this time, will you run again?' I said no. He asked why, and I explained that it depends on the zoning arrangement and my age," he said.
He added that another run in 2031 could only be considered if the presidency does not rotate to the North after the 2027 election.
"If it's still in the South in the next election, maybe, but the probability is very slim. I don't know until after the outcome of the 2027 election," Obi added.
