RismadarVoice Reporters, June 28, 2026
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that the Federal Government is making efforts to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the claim over the weekend while addressing participants at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, in Anambra State.
According to the former Anambra State governor, influential figures within the government are working behind the scenes to ensure he does not appear on the ballot.
“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised,” Obi said.
“The Nigerian government is doing everything to stop me from contesting this election, but I am not focused on the obstacles. My attention is on the destination and the impact we want to make.”
Obi also reacted to Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which vacated an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. He insisted that the court ruling would not derail his political ambition.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. This is not the end of the road. We remain committed to democracy, while those attempting to undermine it are hurting the nation,” he said.
“The reactionary elements who want to keep Nigeria from progressing will not succeed. I am confident that the will of the people will ultimately prevail.”
The former governor challenged President Bola Tinubu and other aspirants interested in the presidency to a public debate on their plans for Nigeria.
“I challenge everyone seeking the presidency, including President Bola Tinubu, to a debate where we can present our plans for the country. My goal is not personal ambition but to help rebuild Nigeria,” Obi stated.
He urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
“Do not vote for me because I am Igbo. Vote for me if you believe I am the most qualified to lead Nigeria,” he said.
Obi added that his vision was to build a country where every citizen, regardless of ethnic or religious background, has equal opportunities to succeed.
“It is not about ethnicity. I want a Nigeria where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the northern part of the country because development must reach every region,” he said.
Reacting to Obi’s remarks, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the allegations and urged him to respect democratic institutions.
The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said Obi should pursue any grievances through the courts rather than accusing the President or undermining the judiciary.
“He cannot aspire to lead Nigeria while casting aspersions on one of the country’s key democratic institutions,” Basiru said.
“The judiciary deserves respect whether its decisions favour you or not. The same court that initially ordered the registration of the NDC has now set aside that ruling after determining that the necessary parties were not heard.”
Basiru argued that the court acted within established legal principles and questioned Obi’s decision to implicate President Tinubu in the matter.
“If he is dissatisfied with the ruling, the proper course is to continue pursuing his case through the legal process instead of dragging the President into it,” he added.
