Fed Govt planning to stop me from contesting 2027 Presidential election – Peter Obi cries out

Fed Govt planning to stop me from contesting 2027 Presidential election – Peter Obi cries out

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that the Federal Government is making efforts to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, insisting that no amount of political pressure would derail his ambition.

Obi made the claim 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, those in power are working behind the scenes 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.

“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.

“I’m rather focused on the fruitfulness of the destination and that is what keeps me going,” he said.

Obi also reacted to the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

He maintained that the court’s decision would not affect his political plans, expressing confidence that the party would overcome the legal setback.

“They cannot stop me. They will fail. Let me assure you, 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 the society.

“The reactionary elements in Nigeria, those who are bent on holding Nigeria down, do not want it to work, but I can assure you it would work. I have confidence that I will pull through because the will of the people must prevail,” he said.

The former governor also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other presidential aspirants to a public debate on their plans for Nigeria, saying leadership should be based on ideas and competence rather than political rhetoric.

“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.

“I’m not desperate to be President but desperate to see Nigeria work. Go and obtain your PVC. If you don’t vote, you are hurting your future. When you have your PVC, do not vote for me because I’m an Igbo man. Vote for me because I’m the most qualified,” he said.

Obi said his presidential ambition was driven by a desire to rebuild the country and create equal opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

“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 will work. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the North,” he said.