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 claim on Friday while addressing participants at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, in Anambra State.
According to the former Anambra State governor, unnamed forces within government are working to ensure 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,” Obi said, adding that despite the alleged obstacles, he remains focused on achieving his vision for the country.
He also reacted 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 maintained that the court ruling would not derail his political ambitions, insisting that those attempting to frustrate Nigeria’s democracy would not succeed.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. It is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy, and the will of the people must prevail,” he stated.
The former governor also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other prospective presidential contenders to a public debate on their plans for Nigeria, saying leadership should be based on competence rather than ethnicity or personal ambition.
Obi said his desire to seek the presidency stems from a commitment to rebuilding the country and creating equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
He urged eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote based on competence, stressing that his candidacy should be judged by merit rather than ethnic considerations.
Speaking further, Obi said he envisioned a Nigeria where every citizen has equal opportunities to succeed regardless of ethnic or religious background, adding that all regions of the country, including the North, would benefit from good governance.
Responding to Obi’s allegations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the claims and urged the former presidential candidate to respect democratic institutions.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said Obi should pursue any grievances through the courts rather than accuse the President or criticise the judiciary.
Basiru noted that the same judiciary which initially ordered INEC to register the NDC later set aside its decision after determining that all relevant parties had not been heard, describing the development as part of the normal judicial process.
