A member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators’ Forum, Hon. Kasimu Maigari, has asserted that former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has created a setback for the realisation of an Igbo presidency.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that Maigari made this known during an interview on ARISE News while speaking on recent political developments and Peter Obi’s defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Maigari said Peter Obi’s political movement has not advanced the South East’s long-standing aspiration to produce the next Nigerian president, but has pushed it backwards.
He further argued that many of those supporting Peter Obi are primarily interested in securing elective positions such as state assembly seats, House of Representatives, or governorship tickets, using his popularity as a platform to achieve their goals.
He said, “My worry is not if Peter Obi will win the presidency; my worry is that Peter Obi has pushed Igbo’s 20 years backwards from getting the Presidency.
“Peter Obi will not win the 2027 election; it is very obvious. The only people who follow Obi and Kwankwaso are those who think they will rise on their backs to get elected and then defect and leave them.
“99 per cent of those running around Peter Obi have the ambition of running either state assembly, House of Rep or governor and the only easiest way for them to win an election is when Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso is on the ballot.”
According to Maigari, ADC remains united and strategically positioned for the 2027 elections, adding that Peter Obi’s influence in certain parts of the country could indirectly benefit the party and affect President Bola Tinubu.
He stated, “ADC remains intact. Peter Obi is going to serve as our agent in the places Tinubu thought he was going to make it, and this is our advantage as ADC.”
