Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Big Tent Coalition for Obi/Kwankwaso has faulted a THISDAY newspaper report suggesting that Peter Obi was absent from policy discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the former Anambra State governor had consistently presented alternatives to address Nigeria’s challenges.
The coalition, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Charles Odibo, on Thursday, also demanded that the newspaper publish its response with the same prominence as the original report.
THISDAY’s October 14 edition carried a lead story titled, “2027 Presidential Poll: Atiku Brings Tinubu into Policy Debate, Obi Missing.”
However, the coalition described the report as misleading, arguing that Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had repeatedly addressed national issues through interviews, television appearances and other public engagements.
It maintained that the candidate had presented policy proposals on electricity, economic production, insecurity and healthcare, adding that his positions were available for public scrutiny.
On electricity, the coalition said Obi had advocated increased investment in power generation, reforms of transmission and distribution infrastructure, and decentralisation where necessary to improve supply and attract private investment.
The group said his proposed economic approach centred on shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one based on production, with greater investment in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and value addition.
It added that Obi had also called for incentives for productive businesses, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and the removal of barriers limiting local production.
On insecurity, the coalition said Obi supported intelligence-led operations, community engagement and the use of technology to protect lives and livelihoods.
It stressed that farmers must be able to return safely to their farmlands, arguing that the country needed practical security measures rather than repeated political promises.
The group also highlighted Obi’s advocacy for stronger primary healthcare services, preventive care and investment in basic health infrastructure, describing them as essential to improving public health and productivity.
The coalition further cited Obi’s October 11 criticism of the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol price reduction at NNPC Retail outlets, which it said he considered a temporary intervention with limited reach.
According to the statement, Obi questioned the impact of the discount, noting that about 900 NNPC Retail stations represented less than four per cent of an estimated 24,000 petrol stations nationwide.
The coalition said Obi had argued that support measures should extend beyond petrol prices to critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure, with the aim of reducing the cost of living sustainably.
In the statement titled *“Right of Reply: THISDAY’s False Narrative on Peter Obi: Nothing Could Be Further from the Truth,”* the group said the newspaper’s report gave readers the impression that Obi had failed to engage with pressing national issues.
It urged the media to ensure that political reporting reflected candidates’ positions accurately and provided voters with balanced information ahead of the election.
The coalition said it expected THISDAY to publish its response with the same front-page visibility given to the original report.
“We, therefore, demand that THISDAY Newspaper afford this ‘Right of Reply’ the same front-page prominence and visibility that it gave to the original story,” the statement said.
It added that Nigerians deserved policy debates based on facts rather than selective accounts of candidates’ public statements.
**Tags:** Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, 2027 Elections, NDC, Big Tent Coalition
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