Former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, popularly known as Fadojoe, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the National Rescue Movement, positioning himself as a youth-driven alternative to what he described as Nigeria’s entrenched political elite.
Faduri, who previously sought the presidential ticket of the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 polls, made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja, saying his decision followed “deep reflection and wide consultations” amid what he termed a critical period in the nation’s history.
The Osun State-born politician said Nigeria had drifted from the vision of its founding fathers and now required bold, people-centred leadership to reverse its fortunes.
“Our country is bleeding, and our nation must be rescued at this critical moment. We must admit that what we have falls far short of that vision,” he stated.
Recounting his personal journey, Faduri said he became an orphan at the age of 14 but remained resolute in his ambition to serve Nigeria, framing his life story as proof of resilience and determination.
He blamed the country’s mounting socio-economic challenges on years of corruption and poor policy decisions.
“Corruption has become normalised. Public funds meant for national development are diverted, yet there are no consequences,” he said.
Faduri argued that the 2027 election must represent a decisive break from what he called recycled leadership and transactional politics.
“It is time for a shift from recycled leadership to visionary leadership. It is time to rebuild Nigeria. While the rest of the world discusses artificial intelligence and technological breakthroughs, we are still campaigning with rice, noodles, onions and N2,000 handouts on election day. What a tragedy,” he lamented.
The aspirant, who supported Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 election, said the dynamics of the next presidential race would be different.
“This election should be about the Nigerian people, the 99 per cent who have borne the brunt of these problems, especially the younger generation,” he said.
Responding to concerns about political structure and grassroots reach, Faduri maintained that worsening hardship had reshaped Nigeria’s political terrain.
“In today’s Nigeria, the most visible structure is the structure of corruption,” he said.
The politician outlined his policy priorities to include economic stability, education reform, improved healthcare, power sector reforms, strengthened security and support for local manufacturing.
“If given the mandate, our government will be People First. Nation First. Nigeria is fixable. What we have lacked is sincere, courageous and people-centred leadership,” he said.
Faduri’s renewed presidential ambition comes amid lingering internal divisions within the Labour Party, which deepened after the 2023 general election.
About a year ago, he publicly described the party’s leadership crisis as “karma,” saying it was painful to watch the same structure that denied him the presidential ticket descend into turmoil.
The crisis intensified following a Supreme Court judgment that triggered competing claims to the party’s leadership.
Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti had rejected the leadership of Julius Abure, insisting his tenure had lapsed and backing a National Caretaker Committee headed by former lawmaker, Senator Nenadi Usman.
Meanwhile, the party’s one-time Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, had also re-emerged to stake a rival claim.
In a statement issued in Abuja at the time, Faduri held the party’s leaders responsible for what he described as his political ordeal.
“What is happening in the Labour Party today is nothing short of poetic justice, a karma unfolding before the very eyes of the nation.
“It is the consequence of the injustice, betrayal and deceit done to my team and me in 2022, when some leaders of the party connived to rob me of the presidential ticket, a ticket we laboured tirelessly to build, and handed it over to Mr Peter Obi,” he had cried.
Continuing, the former presidential aspirant noted that his refusal to challenge the process in court was an act of patriotism and his resolve not to throw the party into a deeper crisis.
