Obi made the declaration while speaking during an interview, where he maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election.

“I won the 2023 election. I will only concede in 2027 if the election is credible,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that he would respect the decision of Nigerians if the 2027 election was conducted transparently and reflected the choice of voters.

He also criticised the practice of determining political leadership based on zoning, ethnicity or religion, arguing that competence should be the major consideration in choosing Nigeria’s leaders.

Obi said his interest in the 2027 election was driven by his desire to see Nigeria properly governed, adding that the country needs leaders who can address its economic and developmental challenges.

He further challenged Nigerians to focus on the credibility of candidates and the electoral process rather than relying on political arrangements that favour particular regions or groups.

Obi, in a statement ahead of the poll, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.

The former Anambra State governor warned against intimidation and political violence, saying the people of Osun should be allowed to choose their leaders without interference.

“Osun belongs to its people,” Obi said, stressing that the responsibility for protecting the integrity of the election rests with all stakeholders.

He appealed to political actors within the state not to allow political competition to divide communities or turn neighbours against one another.

“Do not destroy your state in the name of winning an election,” the NDC presidential candidate said, adding that Nigeria was bigger than any candidate and Osun greater than any political party.

Obi also cautioned politicians, supporters and financiers outside Osun against importing violence and intimidation into the state.

Addressing security agencies, he said their allegiance should remain with the country and the Constitution rather than political interests.

“Your loyalty must be to Nigeria and the Constitution, not to any political party or individual,” he said.

The NDC candidate equally charged INEC to protect the credibility of the election from accreditation and voting to collation and declaration of results.

He said every irregularity should be taken seriously and every legitimate vote protected.

Obi further called on international observers, diplomatic missions and other members of the international community to closely monitor the election, arguing that their presence could strengthen confidence in the democratic process.

He said the importance of an election should not be judged only by its winner, but by whether voters were genuinely allowed to make their choice.

“Democracy is not merely about who wins. Democracy is about whether the people are truly allowed to choose,” Obi stated.

He urged all stakeholders to ensure that political competition in Osun remained peaceful and that the election demonstrated that power could change hands through ballots rather than violence.

“Let every vote count. Let every voter be protected. Let every legitimate result be respected. And above all, let peace reign in Osun State,” he added.