*Says “Governors Can’t Capture the South East”
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has said that the ongoing defections by state governors in the South East cannot guarantee the political capture of the zone.
Obi stated this while responding to questions from reporters in Abuja.
Reporters had asked him to react to the wave of defections currently sweeping across the South East, his home region.
This was contained in a statement released by his media team in Abuja on Wednesday.
Obi explained that Nigeria operates a democracy and not a military system where states can be “captured.”
According to him, the people ultimately decide where their allegiance lies—not governors or senators—adding that no political party can claim victory in any state simply because it has a sitting governor.
Speaking specifically on the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and the alleged plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “capture” the South East ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Obi said:
“Peter Mbah is a good friend of mine, and I believe that as governor, he must have taken his decision based on his own political views and calculations.
“As for the alleged plot to capture the South East, we are not in a military era when you capture people. You are a leader—you lead by doing the right thing for people to follow you. So, I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere.
“The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it.”
On the planned protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu by activist Omoyele Sowore, Obi reiterated his long-standing position on dialogue and engagement.
“There was no need for his arrest in the first place. I have always maintained that I will consult, negotiate, and discuss with anybody who is agitating.
“I thank those who are speaking up and calling for dialogue. This has been my position since before 2020.
“Now that the matter is in court, the rules must be followed—not just for Nnamdi Kanu, but for all agitators across the nation.”
On his expectations from the newly nominated INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, Obi expressed hope for credible elections ahead of 2027.
“He’s a Nigerian, and we all want a new Nigeria where elections will be free, fair, and credible. Those with competence, capacity, compassion, character, and commitment must be elected.
“When he’s confirmed, I will congratulate him and remind him that he won’t hold that position forever. So, he must protect his reputation.”
Obi spoke on the sidelines of a campaign event with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, ahead of the February 2026 FCT Council elections.
The duo visited LEA Nursery/Primary School, Kapwa, a suburb of Abuja, where Obi decried the poor state of the school’s facilities.
Leave a Comment