By Rita Amaechi
National News – The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that the Federal Government is making efforts to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the allegation on Friday while speaking at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.
According to the former Anambra State governor, powerful forces within the government are working to ensure that he does not appear on the ballot in the next general election.
“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. The Nigerian government is doing everything possible to stop me from contesting, but I remain focused on my destination rather than the obstacles,” Obi said.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate maintained that despite the challenges, he remained committed to Nigeria’s democratic process and was confident that the will of the people would prevail.
Reacting to the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which vacated an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party, Obi said the ruling would not derail his political ambition.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. This is not the end of the road. We are committed to democracy, and those seeking to undermine it will not succeed. I have confidence that I will overcome because the will of the people must prevail,” he stated.
Obi also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other presidential aspirants to a public debate on their plans for the country, insisting that his ambition was driven by a desire to rebuild Nigeria rather than personal interest.
“I challenge every presidential aspirant, including President Bola Tinubu, to a debate on what they intend to do for Nigeria. I’m not desperate to become President; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
“I want Nigerians to vote based on competence, not ethnicity. Don’t vote for me because I’m Igbo; vote for me because you believe I’m the most qualified to lead the country,” Obi added.
The former governor said he envisioned a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of ethnic or religious background, would have equal opportunities to succeed.
According to him, the greatest beneficiaries of his proposed administration would be Northern Nigeria because of the region’s enormous developmental needs.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Obi’s allegations, urging him to refrain from making claims capable of undermining democratic institutions.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said Obi should pursue any grievances through the courts instead of dragging President Tinubu into legal matters concerning the registration of the NDC.
Basiru argued that the judiciary, which initially granted the order directing INEC to register the party, also had the authority to set aside its decision after hearing all relevant parties.
“He cannot aspire to lead Nigeria while undermining one of the country’s key democratic institutions. If he is dissatisfied with the court’s decision, the appropriate course of action is to seek legal redress rather than accusing the President,” Basiru said.
