The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, on Friday alleged that forces within the Federal Government were working to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the allegation while speaking at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.
According to him, unnamed government actors were making efforts to ensure he did not appear on the ballot for the next presidential poll.
“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 to ensure that I do not contest in this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles but at the destination,” he said.
He added that he remained focused on achieving what he described as a better future for the country despite the alleged obstacles.
Obi also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other prospective presidential aspirants to a public debate on their 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.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that his ambition was driven by a desire to transform Nigeria rather than personal interest.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian President but desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said, urging Nigerians, particularly young people, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He appealed to voters to support candidates based on competence rather than ethnicity.
“Do not vote for me because I’m an Igbo man. I’m not contesting because I’m Igbo. Vote for me because I’m the most qualified,” Obi stated.
He added that his vision was to build a country where merit, rather than connections, determined success.
“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 works. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the North,” he said.
On the country’s security challenges, Obi pledged to tackle criminality if elected.
“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,” he said.
Obi also reacted to the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.
Describing the ruling as a temporary setback, he insisted it would not derail the party’s political aspirations.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. 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 society,” he said.
He further alleged that “reactionary elements” were determined to frustrate democratic progress but expressed confidence that “the will of the people must prevail.”
Obi urged his supporters and other Nigerians to remain peaceful despite what he described as attempts to undermine democracy.
