Peter Obi: The Forces Trying to Stop My 2027 Presidential Ambition Will Fail

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stated that elements within the Federal Government were attempting to prevent his inclusion on the 2027 ballot.

During a leadership programme hosted by NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative on Friday at Madonna University Okija in Anambra State, Obi challenged every aspirant to the Nigerian presidency—including President Bola Tinubu—to a debate, asserting that he is the most qualified candidate.

Obi also responded to a Federal High Court decision in Lokoja, Kogi State, that overturned a prior ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

Addressing students, Obi said:

“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 focussed at the fruitfulness of the destination and that is what keeps me going.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Obi maintained that Nigeria’s challenges stem from a lack of commitment among leaders, noting that certain reactionary forces are