Former Ondo First Lady, Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu, Publicly Endorses Peter Obi for 2027 Presidential Race
Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State, has publicly endorsed former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the 2027 presidential election. The endorsement, delivered through a short statement on social media, has sparked wide political debate and renewed conversations around opposition alignment ahead of the next general election.
Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu made her position known on Friday via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account. Reacting to a post that linked her name with support for Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement, she wrote simply: “Obi or nothing.” Though brief, the statement has carried significant political weight, given her profile and her late husband’s political background.
The former first lady was married to the late Rotimi Akeredolu, former Ondo State governor and a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Her public backing of Peter Obi, who is now associated with opposition coalition talks involving parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has therefore drawn attention across party lines.
Political observers see her endorsement as a notable signal within the opposition camp, particularly as the ADC intensifies preparations for its presidential primaries. The party has emerged as one of the platforms being considered for a broad coalition aimed at challenging the ruling APC in 2027.
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Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu’s declaration comes at a time of heightened internal debate among opposition forces. Supporters of Peter Obi and allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have been engaged in discussions over who should lead a unified opposition ticket into the next presidential election. These talks have focused not only on personalities but also on issues of zoning, electability, and coalition strength.
Obi’s supporters have recently increased pressure on the ADC and other opposition blocs to zone the presidential ticket to the South. They argue that such a move would promote fairness and national balance, especially following President Bola Tinubu’s election in 2023. According to this camp, zoning the ticket southward would also strengthen the coalition’s appeal across multiple regions.
The endorsement has generated mixed reactions across political circles and on social media. Supporters of Obi have welcomed Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu’s statement, describing it as further evidence that influential figures from across the country are aligning behind his candidacy. Some have portrayed the move as a sign of growing momentum for Obi within the opposition.
However, critics have questioned the political impact of the endorsement, noting that Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu previously supported Peter Obi in the 2023 election, where he finished third. Others have pointed out that her late husband was a leading APC figure, raising questions about how her endorsement will resonate among voters in Ondo State and the wider South-West.
There have also been broader debates about whether Peter Obi will eventually emerge as the opposition’s consensus candidate in 2027 or play a different role within a coalition arrangement. Some analysts believe that ongoing negotiations could still reshape the political landscape before the primaries.
Despite differing opinions, the endorsement has reinforced the growing intensity of early political positioning ahead of 2027. As opposition parties continue to negotiate alliances, endorsements from prominent figures are expected to play a role in shaping internal dynamics and public perception.
For now, Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu’s statement stands as one of the clearest personal endorsements of Peter Obi ahead of the next election cycle, adding another layer to the evolving contest for Nigeria’s presidency.