Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has alleged that forces within the Federal Government are working to prevent him from appearing on the ballot for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking as a guest speaker at a leadership programme organised by NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, in Anambra, Obi claimed there were ongoing efforts to stop him from contesting the next election.
According to him:
“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. Nigerian government is doing everything to ensure that I do not contest in this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles but at the destination.
“I’m rather focused on the fruitfulness of the destination and that is what keeps me going.”
Obi did not provide specific evidence for the alleged efforts during his remarks.
The former governor of Anambra also challenged all prospective presidential contenders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to a public debate on their respective plans for Nigeria.
“I challenge any of those contesting to a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including President Bola Tinubu. I’m not saying it to make you happy but to change Nigeria and make it work,” he said
Addressing the students, Obi said his pursuit of the presidency is driven not by personal ambition but by his desire to improve the country, urging young Nigerians to focus on leadership, integrity, and national development.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian President but desperate to see Nigeria work. Go and obtain your PVC. If you don’t vote, you are hurting your future. When you have your PVC, do not vote for me because I’m an Igbo man. I’m not contesting election because I’m an igbo man, but vote for me because I’m the most qualified.”
He added: “It is not about Igbo people but I want a Nigeria where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. We want a country that will work. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the north.”
Speaking on insecurity, he said …
“I will fight to make Nigeria better and end the criminality in Nigeria. There is insecurity in the entire country and everyone is involved, so I want to build a country that works.”
Responding to the Federal High Court’s decision in Lokoja, Kogi State, which overturned a previous judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC as a political party, Obi said the ruling would not weaken his resolve.
“They can not stop me. They will fail. Let me assure you it is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy and those who want to kill this democracy are trying to hurt the society.
“The reactionary elements in Nigeria, those who are bent on holding Nigeria down do not want it to work but I can assure you it would work. I have confidence that I will pull through because the will of the people must prevail,” he declared.
He added: “No where is safe in Nigeria today, yet the people who should help salvage the country are bent on hurting our democracy. My message to all those who mean well for Nigeria and not just my supporters is for us to remain peaceful and continue to resist this tragedy being imposed on Nigeria.”
