Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that the Federal Government is aiming to prevent him from running in 2027.
Obi, who was a guest speaker at a leadership programme hosted by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative on Friday at Madonna University Okija in Anambra State, also challenged all those aspiring to be President of Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu, to a debate, claiming that he is the most qualified of them all.
Obi also reacted to a Federal High Court decision in Lokoja, Kogi State, which overturned its previous ruling requiring the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC as a political party.
Obi told pupils, “If you know what they are doing to ensure that I am not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised.” The Nigerian government is doing everything it can to prevent me from running in this election, but I’m focused on the goal rather than the barriers.
“I’m more focused on the fruitfulness of the destination, which is what keeps me going.
“I’m not yearning to be Nigerian President; I’m desperate to see Nigeria succeed. Go and get your PVC. If you do not vote, you are jeopardising your future. When you get your PVC, do not vote for me since I am an Igbo. I am not running for office because I am an Igbo man, but please vote for me because I am the most qualified.
“I challenge anyone contesting a debate to state what they want to do for our country, including President Bola Tinubu. I am not saying this to make you happy, but to improve and make Nigeria work.
“It is not about Igbo people; rather, I want a Nigeria in which a nobody’s child may become somebody without knowing anyone. We want a country that works. The northern states will benefit the most under my administration.
“I would struggle to improve Nigeria and stop criminality in Nigeria. There is instability throughout the country, and everyone is involved, so I want to construct a functional country.
Obi claimed that Nigeria’s problem was a lack of commitment from leaders, claiming that some forces, which he defined as reactionary, were set on keeping the country down.
Speaking about the deregistration of the NDC, Obi stated, “They can’t stop me. They’ll fail. Let me reassure you that it is not the end of the road. We are dedicated to this democracy, and those who seek to destroy it are attempting to harm society.
“The reactionary elements in Nigeria, those who are determined to keep Nigeria down, do not want it to function, but I tell you that it will. I’m confident that I’ll succeed because the people’s will must triumph.
“Nowhere is safe in Nigeria now, and the people who should be rescuing the country are set on undermining our democracy. My appeal to all those who care about Nigeria, not just my fans, is to remain calm and reject the tragedy that is being foisted on the country.