Tinubu Govt doing everything to stop me from contesting, I will defeat them in 2027 – Obi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that forces within the Federal Government are working to prevent him from appearing on the ballot for the 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the allegation on Friday while speaking as the guest speaker at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija.

According to him, despite the obstacles, he remains focused on his goal of transforming Nigeria.

“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. 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.

The former Anambra State governor 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,” Obi stated.

Addressing the students, Obi said his ambition was not driven by a personal desire for power but by a commitment to rebuilding the country.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian 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. I’m not contesting election because I’m an Igbo man, but vote for me because I’m the most qualified,” he said.

He added that his vision was to build a country where merit, rather than ethnicity or personal connections, determines 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 will work. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the North,” he added.

Obi also pledged to tackle insecurity if elected, describing the current security situation as unacceptable.

“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.

Commenting on the recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that set aside an earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC, Obi insisted the development would not stop his political ambition.

“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 declared.

He further called on Nigerians to remain peaceful while defending the country’s democratic values.

“Nowhere is safe in Nigeria today, yet the people who should help salvage the country are bent on hurting our democracy. My message to all those who mean well for Nigeria and not just my supporters is for us to remain peaceful and continue to resist this tragedy being imposed on Nigeria,” Obi said.

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