Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has reaffirmed her support for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Ezekwesili said her Obi 2027 support remained unchanged because he continued to rank higher than other leading contenders based on the leadership criteria she applied during the 2023 presidential election. She spoke during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Monday.
The former World Bank Vice President for Africa explained that her assessment of the 2023 presidential candidates focused on their ability to govern effectively and deliver responsible leadership. According to her, applying the same standards today would still lead her to support Obi.
“In 2023, I made it very clear that, using the criteria on which I see leadership either fail or succeed to govern well, the other two candidates score considerably lower than what you would assign to former Governor Obi,” she said.
Ezekwesili added that she did not believe anything significant had changed to alter her position.
Despite reaffirming her Obi 2027 support, the former minister cautioned against making Nigeria’s political conversation entirely about Obi or any other individual politician. She said her interest was ultimately in the kind of leadership structure and governance system Nigeria needs.
“Don’t make this about Peter Obi. I don’t want us to personalise. I’m interested in the construct,” she said.
Ezekwesili also expressed concern over what she described as the declining value attached to human life and dignity in Nigeria. She argued that the country’s current governance structure had failed to adequately protect citizens and provide the conditions needed for them to thrive.
The former minister rejected the idea that Nigeria’s current situation represented an unavoidable national destiny. According to her, citizens should challenge the notion that poor governance and insecurity are simply conditions Nigerians must accept.
“The greatest tragedy of the country is this resignation—that this is our destiny. I say no, this is by design. It is not our destiny; this is by design,” she said.
Ezekwesili urged Nigerians to become more deliberate about participating in the political process and choosing leaders who would genuinely represent their interests. She encouraged citizens to look beyond personalities and take responsibility for determining the kind of leadership they want.
“I am challenging that and saying that Nigerians should at least vote for themselves. If no one votes for you in terms of the leaders you’re choosing, vote for yourselves,” she said.
She also called on competent Nigerians to enter politics and contest elections at the local, state and federal levels.
According to her, meaningful national transformation would require citizens to participate directly in building the political system rather than leaving leadership entirely to established political actors. Her comments place her continued Obi 2027 support within a broader argument for institutional reform, citizen participation and leadership accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.
