Peter Obi has hinted 2027 might be his final presidential bid due to age and political zoning. This sparked a sharp retort from Omoyele Sowore, who accused Obi of being a “scammer” and aiding Tinubu’s victory

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]eter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has hinted that the 2027 general elections may mark his last attempt at contesting for the Nigerian presidency.

Also read: Peter Obi, Sowore throw shades at each other on social media over alleged Fidelity Bank debt

This revelation, made in a recently surfaced viral video clip, has drawn a sharp response from Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate.

Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, confirmed the video’s authenticity, stating that it was “recent.”

In the seven-minute, 16-second video, Obi cited age and evolving political realities as potential deterrents to his continued active participation in politics beyond 2027.

“I believe we should have a retirement age for politicians. By 2027, I will be 65,” Obi stated. The former Anambra State governor further elaborated on his reasoning, suggesting that if the presidency were to shift back to the North in 2031, it might not return to the South until 2039. By then, he noted, he would be 77 years old—an age he considers unsuitable for seeking public office.

“If the presidency goes back to the North in 2031, it may not return to the South until 2039 — by then, I will be 77. I wouldn’t want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything,” Obi affirmed.

Of course, you, @peterobi, won’t be running after 2027 because your foray into the presidential election arena is to help Bola Tinubu win his Presidential (s)elections. Since Tinubu won’t run after 2027, your contract will be over by then. Scammer!

Despite hinting at a potential exit from elective politics, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Nigeria’s youth and driving transformational change.

“Even if I’m not contesting, I will always support those of you who are committed to real change, with whatever resources I can provide,” he assured.

However, Obi’s statement quickly drew a fiery reaction from Omoyele Sowore, who took to social media to lash out at his former presidential counterpart. Sowore directly accused Obi of calculated political maneuvering.

“Of course, you, @peterobi, won’t be running after 2027 because your foray into the presidential election arena is to help Bola Tinubu win his Presidential (s)elections,” Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He continued, “Since Tinubu won’t run after 2027, your contract will be over by then. Scammer!”

This public jab rekindles a subtle but noticeable social media jibe between Obi and Sowore that emerged earlier this month.

That prior exchange was sparked by Sowore’s accusation that Obi’s visit to Rome for the inauguration of the new Pope was a cover for a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to resolve an alleged Fidelity Bank fraud issue—a claim Obi vehemently denied.

Also read: Peter Obi denies secret meeting with Tinubu in Rome over alleged Fidelity Bank debt

Though neither directly named the other in their earlier spat, the targets of their veiled insults were clear to keen observers and the media. Sowore’s latest comments appear to be a direct escalation of their ongoing public disagreement.