The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Peter Obi

  • Soludo Says Political Differences Have Not Affected Friendship With Peter Obi

    Soludo Says Political Differences Have Not Affected Friendship With Peter Obi

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has said his relationship with former governor Peter Obi remains cordial despite their disagreements over politics and economic issues.

    Soludo made this known during an interview with BBC News Igbo on Monday, saying the two families maintained close personal ties even though they supported different political interests.

    “Peter Obi and I are good friends. Our two families are on good terms. His wife gave birth to my child in the divine water, my wife gave birth to his child in the confirmation. But when it comes to politics, give me mine, give him his. It’s politics that is being done,” he said.

    The governor explained that their political differences became evident during the Anambra governorship election, when Obi backed a candidate of his choice while Soludo pursued his own political ambition.

    “He has someone he thinks should be the governor of Anambra. I am also listening. He supported the person he wanted. But I won by the grace of God,” Soludo said.

    His remarks come amid renewed exchanges between the two politicians over Obi’s record as governor and the financial state of Anambra when he left office in 2014.

    The relationship between their families also became a subject of public discussion in September after Obi said he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children.

    However, Daniel Ezeigwe, media aide to the Anambra First Lady, Nonye Soludo, challenged the account, explaining that she was the confirmation godmother to Obi’s daughter, while Obi’s wife, Margaret, was the baptismal godmother to one of Soludo’s daughters.

    During the BBC interview, Soludo also clarified his controversial 2022 comments about Obi’s chances in the 2023 presidential election, saying he did not simply predict that the former governor would lose.

    He explained that his argument was that Obi’s decision to contest as a third-force candidate would divide opposition votes, particularly those of the Peoples Democratic Party, and give the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, an advantage.

    “No, no, I didn’t say he wouldn’t win. What I said was that it is impossible for someone who is a presidential candidate of a party to not even write a letter saying he is running,” Soludo said.

    He added that he had communicated his concerns directly to Obi before the election.

    “In fact, I also wrote to him that his participation would take away a lot of votes from the PDP and make it easier for Tinubu to win,” he said.

    Soludo further argued that bringing opposition parties together would not necessarily guarantee victory against an incumbent government.

    “Even if you have a united opposition, it still does not guarantee you get to defeat an incumbent. But that is even the starting point,” he said.

    The governor also recalled inviting Obi to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in March 2022 to contest the presidency.

    According to Soludo, their initial discussions were focused on mobilising the Igbo people rather than simply pursuing political office.

    “It was me myself who invited him to APGA so he could run, early March 2022 at Nnamdi Azikiwe University,” he said.

    He added that political alliances should be built on prior consultations and a shared understanding of objectives.

    “We deliberate first before going into an alliance before seeking power. You don’t just get power in Nigeria like that,” Soludo said.

    In November 2022, Soludo published an article titled History Beckons and I Will Not Be Silent, in which he questioned Obi’s presidential ambition and declared that the former Anambra governor could not win the 2023 election.

    “Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win,” Soludo wrote in the article.

  • Makinde Takes Campaign Message To South-East, Urges Voters To Reject Ethnic Politics

    Makinde Takes Campaign Message To South-East, Urges Voters To Reject Ethnic Politics

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has called on voters in the South-East to look beyond ethnic and religious affiliations when choosing leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Makinde, who is also the governor of Oyo State, made the appeal during an APM South-East town hall meeting in Enugu, where he presented his party’s proposed agenda for addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

    He acknowledged the strong political support enjoyed by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the region but said his campaign would not be discouraged from seeking votes in the South-East.

    Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Makinde maintained that the problems confronting Nigerians cut across ethnic and religious boundaries, urging voters to support candidates based on their plans and capacity to address the country’s challenges.

    He outlined four major components of his proposed agenda: economic recovery, restructuring of the security system, education reform and rebuilding the socio-political environment.

    The APM candidate said his campaign had engaged Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones to understand their concerns and incorporate their expectations into the party’s manifesto.

    He disclosed that the document would be finalised over the weekend and unveiled on November 4, 2026.

    Makinde also identified the lack of trust between political leaders and citizens as one of the problems affecting governance, arguing that sincerity and accountability could help restore public confidence.

    Using his experience in Oyo State as an example, he said his administration had worked to rebuild trust between the government and residents and promised to apply a similar approach at the national level if elected.

    On the economy, Makinde pledged to move Nigeria away from dependence on the distribution of federal allocations towards a productive system driven by businesses, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

    He identified high interest rates and limited access to long-term financing as major obstacles to industrial growth, promising to address both challenges.

    The governor also announced a partnership between his campaign and Skill Reset Nigeria to train one million young Nigerians in employable skills. He encouraged interested youths to register through the organisation’s website to participate in the programme.

    His running mate, Lawal Daura, also called for urgent action against hunger, poverty and insecurity, warning that democracy could not function effectively where political activities were militarised and security issues became politicised.

    Daura said the party was proposing a 16-point agenda aimed at addressing the country’s difficulties, adding that Nigerians needed leadership committed to improving their living conditions.

    Meanwhile, the APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support Makinde’s candidacy.

    Dantalle argued that Tinubu should allow Makinde to complete what he described as the remaining four years of the South’s turn in power.

    He also attributed Nigeria’s insecurity to underlying socioeconomic problems, including poverty and unemployment, and called for improved electricity and transportation infrastructure to support economic development.

    The meeting was attended by former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Director-General of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Felix Hassan Hyat, APM state chairmen and other party stakeholders.

    APM Urges Tinubu To Reconsider 2027 Presidential Bid

    In a related development, the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has asked Tinubu to use his ongoing Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to reflect on his administration’s performance and consider withdrawing from the 2027 presidential contest.

    The organisation made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa.

    It urged the President to reflect on his campaign promises, the country’s security situation and the economic difficulties Nigerians have faced since he assumed office in May 2023.

    The campaign organisation also questioned whether Tinubu deserved another term, citing concerns over rising hardship, hunger, insecurity and access to essential services.

    It argued that public office should come with accountability and that the President should assess his administration’s record before seeking another mandate.

    Tinubu departed Abuja for Makkah on Thursday to perform Umrah, the lesser Islamic pilgrimage.

  • Obi Accuses Tinubu Of Avoiding Campaigns, Questions His Ability To Govern

    Obi Accuses Tinubu Of Avoiding Campaigns, Questions His Ability To Govern

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported reluctance to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Obi accused the President of spending more than 260 days outside Nigeria while claiming he could not devote 36 days to visiting states to campaign and explain his administration’s achievements.

    He made the remarks on Thursday at a political summit in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    Tinubu had indicated that he might not visit every state during the 2027 campaign, explaining that his responsibilities as President required him to give priority to governance.

    Reacting, Obi challenged Tinubu to visit Abakaliki and account for his administration’s performance over the past three years, particularly how funds borrowed by the Federal Government had been utilised.

    The former Anambra State governor also questioned the President’s capacity to continue leading the country, arguing that he lacked the energy and competence required for the position.

    Obi urged Tinubu to leave office, saying the country needed leadership capable of addressing its pressing challenges.

    He also cautioned against ethnic divisions in the South-East, insisting that voters should support him based on his qualifications and ability to lead Nigeria rather than his Igbo identity.

    Obi said he was seeking votes from Nigerians across the country and not relying on regional or ethnic sentiments to secure support.

    Outlining his proposed priorities if elected president, the NDC candidate promised to declare a state of emergency in key sectors, including security, education, healthcare, agriculture and the fight against corruption.

    He said his administration would prioritise national unity and ensure that government appointments reflected the federal character principle.

    On security, Obi pledged to strengthen the country’s security agencies through improved equipment and resources, promising decisive action against those responsible for attacks and kidnappings.

    He also vowed to intensify the fight against corruption, warning that anyone found guilty of stealing public funds would face prosecution, regardless of their position.

    In education, the former governor expressed concern over the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which he put at more than 18 million. He promised to introduce measures to reduce the figure and improve access to education.

    Obi further pledged to tackle hunger by supporting farmers, improving agricultural production and expanding opportunities for food exports.

    On healthcare, he promised to establish functional healthcare facilities in every political ward across the country, arguing that Nigeria had the resources to provide accessible medical services to its citizens.

    He said addressing these challenges would form part of his administration’s priorities if elected in 2027.

  • Obi Says He Will Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

    Obi Says He Will Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he will restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that corruption, rather than the subsidy itself, has been the major problem with the scheme.

    Obi made the declaration on Tuesday during an interview with the BBC, where he was asked directly whether he would bring back the subsidy regime.

    “Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” Obi said.

    The former Anambra State governor maintained that his position was not necessarily a change in his long-standing argument on the subsidy debate, saying he had consistently raised concerns about corruption surrounding its implementation.

    “From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” he said.

    Obi’s latest position comes after the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, when the President declared that “fuel subsidy is gone.”

    The policy led to a sharp increase in petrol prices and became a major issue in Nigeria’s economic and political debate, with the Federal Government defending the decision as necessary for economic reform.

    During the 2023 presidential campaign, Obi had supported the removal of the subsidy, arguing that money saved from the scheme should be invested in sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

    His latest comments, however, indicate that a future administration under him would retain a subsidy system while seeking to eliminate what he described as corruption associated with its operation.

    The position also follows recent comments by Obi’s running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who said an NDC administration would introduce subsidy “in our own way” if elected in 2027.

    Kwankwaso had argued that increased investment in domestic refining and petroleum production could help make petrol available to Nigerians at more affordable prices.

    Meanwhile, Obi said tackling corruption would begin with the conduct of the President and members of the President’s immediate family.

    “If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 per cent,” he said.

    Obi also distinguished his proposed approach from that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who campaigned extensively on an anti-corruption platform.

    Asked about Buhari’s record, Obi said, “He was not in charge. The difference is that I’ll be in charge.”

    The NDC candidate also rejected the suggestion that he should withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if opposition parties eventually decide to present a consensus candidate.

    According to Obi, opposition parties should instead concentrate on mobilising more voters and doing what is necessary to win the election.

    “We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” he said.

    With the 2027 election approaching, the future of petrol subsidy is likely to remain a major issue in the political debate as parties present competing proposals on fuel prices, domestic refining and the management of public resources.

  • NDC Denies Rumors of Dickson Plotting to Sabotage Obi, Kwankwaso Ticket

    An image of Peter Obi, Kwankwaso and Seriake Dickson

    The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied allegations that its National Leader, Seriake Dickson, was plotting to sabotage the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, during the 2027 general election.

    The NDC national spokesperson, Osa Director, in a statement on Monday, described the allegations as “malicious lies.”

    Mr Director said contrary to the claims, Mr Dickson has no plans to work for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election.

    “Our National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, is not a front for the ruling APC or anyone else.

    “He has no secret or open deal whatsoever with the ruinous and diabolical APC regime,” he said.

    He stressed that the party would have chosen to ignore what he termed “the beer-parlour talk and murmurs” circulating on social media, but decided to debunk it to “prevent people from believing lies”.

    “Anyone who knows Senator Dickson’s public service record, and is in his right senses, will not associate him with any under-the-table arrangement to sabotage his own party and its presidential candidate and running mate, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he stated.

    The NDC spokesperson argued that Mr Dickson, a serving senator, could have taken “the easy way out” by joining the APC.

    “Instead, he chose the hard, honourable path of building a party with like-minds; a party that will liberate Nigeria from the vice grip of the buccaneers currently in power,” he said.

    Mr Director stressed that Mr Dickson’s “consistent, courageous and principled position” in the Senate for over seven years was a clear testament to his strength of character and unwavering solidarity with suffering Nigerians.

    “Consequently, it is wicked, vexatious and mendacious to associate his name with any compromise with the ruling APC and its key drivers.

    “We are fully aware that these unfounded and baseless allegations are emanating from the ranks of our political opponents, who are envious of the growing popularity, acceptability and organic spread of the NDC across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he claimed.

    From AD, PDP, and NDC

    Mr Dickson began his political career in the now defunct Alliance for Democracy. The politician later served as the AD chairman in Bayelsa State from 1998 to 2000.

    He subsequently served as the party’s national legal adviser in 2000.

    In 2005, Mr Dickson joined the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before emerging as the commissioner for justice and attorney-general of Bayelsa State under the administration of the then-Governor Goodluck Jonathan from 2006 to 2007.

    He was subsequently elected as a House of Representatives member for Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2012 under the PDP platform and later served as Bayelsa governor from 2012 to 2020.

    The politician won a senatorial election in 2020 to represent Bayelsa West District under the PDP platform. He won re-election in 2023.

    In March this year, he left the PDP and joined the NDC, which he founded ahead of the 2027 general election. Premium Times

  • 2027: Anambra Govt Urges APGA Supporters To Reject Obi, NDC

    2027: Anambra Govt Urges APGA Supporters To Reject Obi, NDC

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Anambra State Government has urged supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance to reject Peter Obi and his Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The government made the call in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, accusing the former Anambra governor of working against APGA since he left the party in 2014.

    The statement, titled “A Betrayal Alert for Ndi APGA,” described support for Obi and the NDC as a threat to APGA’s political strength in the state.

    “A vote for Peter Obi and the NDC is a vote to kill APGA,” the government said.

    It alleged that Obi had been working to undermine the party that produced him as governor after his departure from APGA.

    The government also contrasted Obi’s political position with that of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Tinubu supported APGA while Obi backed efforts against the party.

    “Do not be deceived by a man who abandoned his own house. Anambra is APGA. Ndi APGA, defend your home. Resist the NDC,” the statement added.

    Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014 after emerging as the APGA candidate. He left the party in October 2014 and joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He later moved to the Labour Party in 2022 and contested the 2023 presidential election, finishing third behind Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

    Obi left the Labour Party in December 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress before subsequently aligning with the NDC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    The latest exchange comes amid an increasingly heated political relationship between Obi and the administration of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.

    The two sides have also been engaged in a dispute over financial obligations linked to projects implemented during Obi’s tenure as governor.

    The state government said in September that Obi’s administration was associated with external financing valued at $123.77 million, with $92.35 million reportedly outstanding as of June 30, 2026, citing figures from the Debt Management Office.

    Obi rejected the characterisation of the facilities as loans he personally obtained for the state, saying he neither borrowed from financial institutions nor issued bonds on behalf of Anambra during his tenure.

    The state government has also challenged Obi’s claim that his administration left N2.1 billion in ecological funds, saying it could not establish that the money was held in the account and bank identified by the former governor.

    The political dispute is unfolding as parties and political groups begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with APGA remaining the governing party in Anambra and Obi seeking the presidency on the NDC platform.

  • 2027: Peter Obi Promises To Spend Presidential Holidays Across Nigeria

    2027: Peter Obi Promises To Spend Presidential Holidays Across Nigeria

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged to spend his holidays within Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general election.

    Obi made the commitment in his Independence Day address in Abuja on Thursday, saying he would use his four-year tenure to travel across the country, engage with citizens and gain a better understanding of their challenges.

    The former Anambra State governor said his proposed approach to governance would involve leading by example and maintaining close contact with Nigerians.

    “As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria,” Obi said.

    He listed Zamfara, Borno, Kwara, Ebonyi and Edo among states he intended to visit during his holidays, adding that he wanted to experience the country and interact directly with its people.

    “I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience,” he said.

    Obi also promised to make governance measurable and accountable, with emphasis on improving the welfare and productivity of citizens.

    He said Nigerians would begin to see tangible results from his administration within its first year if elected.

    On security, the NDC candidate pledged to intensify efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other threats, saying farmers should be able to return to their farms while children attend school and businesses operate without fear.

    “No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security,” Obi said.

    The former governor also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, arguing that Nigeria continued to face serious challenges despite the promises made by the ruling party in 2023.

    He cited poverty, insecurity and the number of out-of-school children among the challenges confronting the country.

    According to Obi, Nigeria’s problem is not primarily a shortage of resources but the failure of successive administrations to translate the country’s resources into improved human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.

    He also referred to his recent visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, where they held discussions on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, drug abuse and out-of-school children.

    Obi said their visit to an internally displaced persons camp in Ramin Kura, Sokoto metropolis, exposed the difficult conditions faced by displaced women and children.

    He described the situation as an indication of the challenges confronting communities across different parts of the country.

    The former Anambra governor had previously criticised Nigerian presidents for spending their holidays abroad, arguing that the President should use such periods to visit parts of the country facing security and developmental challenges.

    He said an elected president should remain connected to citizens and use domestic visits to better understand the BN conditions in different parts of Nigeria.

    Obi maintained that while a Nigerian president would need to travel abroad for official engagements, presidential holidays should be spent within the country.

  • 2027: Otti Backs Tinubu, Rules Out Presidential Ambition After Tenure

    2027: Otti Backs Tinubu, Rules Out Presidential Ambition After Tenure

    …Explains his support for Tinubu

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has explained his support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid while ruling out any plan to contest for the presidency or another elective office after completing his tenure as governor.

    Otti spoke during an interview with ARISE News on Friday, where he addressed his political position ahead of the 2027 general election and his relationship with other political actors, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

    The governor, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, said his support for Tinubu’s administration should not be confused with the Labour Party’s position on the 2027 presidential election.

    Otti said his position was influenced partly by his role as a governor and member of the National Economic Council, where state governors participate in discussions and decisions concerning the country.

    “It works the way you have said. It’s a statement of fact. I am not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.

    He explained that governors could disagree with certain government policies but should raise their concerns through appropriate government channels rather than create unnecessary confrontation.

    “And sometimes people don’t understand opposition. When you say opposition, and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion,” he said.

    “So if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point. So I’m not going to oppose his candidacy.”

    Otti, however, maintained that he had previously indicated support for a Labour Party presidential candidate, distinguishing that position from his support for Tinubu in his capacity as the incumbent President.

    When asked whether Tinubu was the Labour Party candidate he had referred to, Otti rejected the suggestion.

    “No, that’s not what I said,” he said, adding that he was referring to a candidate of the Labour Party.

    The governor also identified some Tinubu administration policies that he said were consistent with his own views, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.

    “Quite frankly, there are a lot of things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented, that resonate with me and my thinking,” Otti said.

    “People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I sit, I know that for instance, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable.”

    The interviewer then returned to the question of whether he was supporting Tinubu.

    “What do you expect me to say? To say I’m not supporting him?” Otti responded.

    He said Tinubu had a right to contest the 2027 election and noted that, as a state governor and member of the National Economic Council, he was involved in some of the decisions and policies of the Federal Government.

    “I had also said that as a governor in this republic, that a lot of the things that are being, in fact, I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of National Economic Council. So, we should distinguish that.

    “When somebody now says, ‘Oh, you are supporting or you’re not,’ I have to support him,” he said.

    Otti Rules Out Presidential Ambition

    Despite his active participation in political discussions ahead of 2027, Otti said he had no plans to seek another elective position after completing his tenure as governor.

    He ruled out running for president, the Senate, local government chairmanship or any other elective office.

    “I had said just a few days ago that by the time I’m done with this, I’ll retire. So I’m not going to run for any other thing, not local government chairman, not Senate, not president, no,” he said.

    Otti said his political career was driven by what he described as a sense of duty and that he intended to leave politics after completing the work he set out to do in Abia.

    “I think I came to deliver a calling, and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I’ll retire. And I’m not getting any younger anymore,” he added.

    Otti Says Obi, Atiku Can Campaign In Abia

    The governor also said opposition politicians would be free to campaign in Abia State, regardless of their political affiliations.

    He specifically mentioned Peter Obi, saying there was no disagreement between them that would prevent the former Anambra governor from campaigning in the state.

    “Oh, absolutely. Anybody that wants to campaign in my state will be allowed. Peter Obi and I are not fighting. Just like there’s nobody I’m fighting,” Otti said.

    He added that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other presidential candidates would similarly be allowed to campaign in the state.

    “So if he wants to campaign in the state, he will be allowed to campaign. If any other person, even Atiku, if he wants to campaign, he will be allowed to campaign. So that is what democracy is about,” he said.

    Otti’s comments come as political parties and their potential candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with discussions around alliances, presidential candidates and the future direction of the opposition continuing across the country.

    The governor, meanwhile, said his immediate priority remained the completion of his tenure in Abia rather than pursuing another political office.

  • Obi Vows To Jail Anyone Who Rigs Election Under His Presidency

    Obi Vows To Jail Anyone Who Rigs Election Under His Presidency

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to prosecute and jail anyone found to have rigged an election under his administration, regardless of the number of votes involved.

    Obi made the declaration during an interview with ARISE News on Thursday as he outlined his plans for electoral reform, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    The former Anambra State governor said electoral malpractice would attract serious consequences under his administration.

    “If I am the serving president of this country, whoever rigs election will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said.

    He also promised that opposition political parties would be allowed to operate freely and would not be subjected to harassment by his administration.

    According to him, opposition parties would be consulted on major national issues, arguing that governance should involve all political interests.

    Obi said such consultations would continue even when the president was outside the country on official trips, stressing the need for inclusive decision-making.

    He also pledged to remain accessible to Nigerians and said he would prioritise staying in the country rather than spending extended periods abroad.

    “Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.

    ## Obi Recalls Campaign Access For Opponents

    The NDC candidate criticised what he described as restrictions on political campaigns in some states, arguing that candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of the political affiliation of the incumbent governor.

    Obi cited his tenure as Anambra governor, saying he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided support for their activities.

    He recalled giving then-Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola access to his official convoy when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign.

    Obi also said he accompanied former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a campaign for another candidate in Anambra, adding that he did not regard political competition as a reason to prevent opponents from seeking votes.

    He similarly recalled receiving former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu when Kalu campaigned for Uche Ekwunife.

    According to Obi, such interactions reflected the democratic principle of allowing voters to hear from competing candidates before making their choices.

    Obi Rejects $123m Anambra Debt Claim

    The NDC candidate also rejected claims that he left Anambra State with about $123 million in debt after leaving office.

    Obi maintained that he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his tenure as governor.

    He said that when he left office in March 2014, the state was not owing salaries, gratuities, pensions or contractors and suppliers whose completed projects had been certified and verified.

    Obi further disputed the treatment of World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities in the debt figures, arguing that they were concessionary development facilities obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently made available to qualifying states.

    He said Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and rose to about $30 million by the time he left office.

    Obi also claimed that he left more than $150 million in dollar-denominated funds and investments, which he said could have generated substantial returns for the state.

    He challenged the Anambra State Government and relevant institutions to verify his claims using official records, including his handover documents and banking records.

    The controversy comes amid an ongoing public dispute over the financial obligations inherited by successive administrations in Anambra. Anambra State Information Commissioner Law Mefor has separately alleged that eight loans associated with the former administration remain liabilities being repaid by the state.

    Obi Says No Rift With Soludo

    Addressing his relationship with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said he had no dispute with the incumbent governor.

    “I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” he said.

    “We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”

    Obi Questions Tinubu’s Absence

    Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, arguing that the president’s physical presence was important during periods of national difficulty.

    “The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation,” Obi said.

    “Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know.”

    Obi Disowns Campaign Council

    The NDC presidential candidate also said he was not aware of a reported campaign council linked to the Obedient and Kwankwasiyya movements.

    Obi said support groups should complement the political party rather than establish parallel structures.

    He said the NDC remained the political platform and that any support group should operate within its role of supporting the party.

    Obi also expressed willingness to discuss cooperation among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 election, including discussions that could involve an aspirant stepping aside.

    He said his priority was not necessarily to become president but to see Nigeria function effectively.

    “I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” Obi said.

    He urged opposition parties to work towards credible elections, prevent political violence and focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians.

    “What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

  • 2027: Obi Says Nigerians Should Set Campaign Agenda

    2027: Obi Says Nigerians Should Set Campaign Agenda

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to determine the issues that should shape political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Obi made the call on Saturday during an NDC town hall meeting in Kaduna, where he said political parties should engage citizens directly rather than impose campaign promises on them.

    The former Anambra State governor said the Kaduna meeting was designed to hear directly from Nigerians about the challenges affecting them and incorporate their concerns into the party’s political agenda.

    He criticised the practice of presenting attractive manifestos and making promises during election campaigns that may prove difficult to fulfil after politicians assume office.

    “What we want now is that we want politics to be demand-driven, not supply-driven,” Obi said.

    He said politicians should explain their plans before elections and allow voters to scrutinise what they intend to achieve if elected.

    Obi also called for an end to tribal and religious politics, advocating greater emphasis on national unity and social cohesion.

    “We don’t want these politics of tribalism, politics of religion. No. We want politics of unity, politics of love, politics of care,” he said.

    On insecurity, Obi said the security situation had made Nigerians increasingly uncertain about travelling between different parts of the country.

    He recalled that people had questioned the safety of his journey to Kaduna for the town hall.

    “When I tell people I’m coming to Kaduna this morning, everybody’s telling you, are you sure? Are you not sure? How?” he said.

    Obi said an administration led by him would make security a priority and seek to restore Nigerians’ confidence to travel freely across the country.

    He also said that, if elected, he would spend his holidays in Nigeria rather than travelling abroad, using such periods to visit communities affected by insecurity.

    “In four years, I will never take holidays outside this country,” he said, listing Zamfara, Borno, Kano, Oyo and Ondo among states he would visit.

    The NDC candidate also spoke on education and social mobility, saying government policies should create opportunities for children regardless of their family backgrounds.

    “We want policies where every child will go to school,” he said, adding that Nigeria should become “a nation where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody.”

    Obi also outlined economic priorities at the meeting, saying an NDC government would seek to move Nigeria from consumption to production by investing in areas capable of creating jobs.

    He said his proposed administration would focus on investment rather than borrowing for consumption, while also seeking to return more young Nigerians to agriculture and small-scale businesses.

    The NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also addressed the gathering, urging Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.

    Kwankwaso said the turnout at the Kaduna engagement demonstrated the level of interest in the party’s town hall initiative.

    He identified insecurity, job creation, education and agricultural development among the issues requiring attention, while stressing the need for policies that would improve opportunities for Nigerians.

    The Kaduna engagement is part of the NDC’s ongoing town hall series aimed at interacting directly with citizens ahead of the 2027 elections. A similar session was held in Port Harcourt earlier in September.

    The party said the meetings are intended to provide a platform for Nigerians to raise concerns, ask questions and contribute to discussions on the country’s political and socio-economic direction.

  • Anambra Govt Challenges Obi’s Claim of ₦2.13bn Ecological Fund

    Anambra Govt Challenges Obi’s Claim of ₦2.13bn Ecological Fund

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Anambra State Government has challenged former Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he left more than ₦2.13bn in an ecological fund account when he handed over power in 2014.

    The government said records from First Bank showed that the account identified by Obi was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account and not an account specifically designated for ecological funds.

    The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in response to Obi’s recent comments on the state’s finances.

    Mefor said the government had obtained a certified printout of First Bank account number 2018779464, which Obi identified as the account where he left the ecological funds.

    According to him, the records covering the account from its opening in 2011 to the present did not show any transaction or balance corresponding to the ₦2.13bn claimed by the former governor.

    “We have obtained a certified printout of the account from inception to date. The account is an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account, not an ecological fund account,” Mefor said.

    “From 2011 when the account was opened until date, there has never been any such amount, whether as inflow or balance, in the account.”

    The commissioner consequently asked Obi to explain where the money he said he left for his successor was kept.

    The dispute followed Obi’s rejection of claims by the state government that his administration left behind financial obligations, including an ecological-related loan, contractor liabilities and arrears involving salaries, pensions and gratuities.

    Obi had maintained that his administration cleared more than ₦35bn in historical gratuity and salary arrears and handed over the state without outstanding obligations to workers or contractors for completed and certified projects.

    On the ecological fund, the former governor said the money was released shortly before the end of his tenure to address the erosion crisis in Oko and Umuchiana.

    He said he deliberately left the funds untouched for the incoming administration because the money was tied to a specific project.

    Obi also said more than ₦2.13bn remained intact in the First Bank account at the time he left office.

    The former governor had challenged anyone disputing his account of the fund to provide evidence to the contrary.

    “If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning,” Obi said.

    However, Mefor expanded the state government’s response beyond the disputed ecological fund, saying eight external loans remained outstanding after Obi left office on March 17, 2014.

    He said the outstanding balance of the loans stood at ₦127.4bn as of June 30, 2026, based on the official exchange rate.

    The loans listed by the government were connected to projects including malaria control, agricultural development, health system development, education, community development, erosion management and value-chain development.

    Mefor also disputed Obi’s claim that his administration left office without unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions.

    He said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo had cleared about ₦22bn in inherited gratuity arrears, while alleging that some liabilities from the Obi administration and earlier governments remained.

    The commissioner cited arrears involving retired teachers and workers of the state Water Corporation.

    He said salary arrears owed to Water Corporation workers continued through the Obi administration and were eventually settled under the Soludo government, with two of three instalments already paid.

    Mefor further alleged that the Obi administration had verified and certified 16 months of salary arrears for primary school teachers but paid only five months.

    “The Obi administration verified/certified 16 months of salary arrears for primary school teachers but paid only five months,” he said.

    The commissioner also questioned Obi’s claim that his administration left more than ₦75bn in savings.

    “We will not engage in nebulous creative accounting. If there were ₦75 billion in savings, as claimed, where are the records?” Mefor asked.

  • Obi Vows to Quit Campaign if Anambra Debt Claims Proven True

    Obi Vows to Quit Campaign if Anambra Debt Claims Proven True

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has challenged the Anambra State Government to provide evidence that his administration left behind unpaid debts, salaries, pensions and contractor liabilities when he left office as governor.

    Obi, who governed the state from 2006 to 2013, made the challenge in a statement posted on his social media account while responding to claims concerning the financial obligations inherited by successive administrations.

    He said his administration cleared more than N35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears before leaving office and maintained that there were no outstanding salaries, pensions or gratuities at the point of handover.

    Obi also said contractors whose projects had been completed and certified were paid before his administration left office.

    Addressing the controversy surrounding an alleged N2 billion ecological fund, the former governor said the money was released about three months before the end of his tenure to address the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.

    He claimed that he deliberately left the funds untouched for the incoming administration because they were earmarked for a specific project.

    According to Obi, more than N2.13 billion remained in a First Bank account he identified as the account where the ecological funds were kept.

    He further said the money was separate from the more than N75 billion in savings which he claimed his administration left for its successor.

    “If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning,” Obi said.

    The Anambra State Government, however, disputed Obi’s account in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor.

    The state government said eight external loans obtained during or inherited into Obi’s administration still had an outstanding balance of $92.35 million, which it valued at N127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026.

    It said the loans were connected to projects in areas including healthcare, education, malaria control, erosion management and community development, and that the current administration was servicing the outstanding obligations.

    The government also disputed Obi’s claim that he left office without salary, pension or gratuity arrears, saying the current administration had inherited and cleared about N22 billion in gratuity arrears owed to retired state and local government employees and teachers.

    It further alleged that salary arrears involving workers of the former Anambra State Water Corporation remained unresolved, while some primary school teachers had outstanding salary, pension and gratuity arrears.

    The state government also challenged Obi’s claim concerning the N2.13 billion ecological fund.

    According to Mefor, a certified statement of the First Bank account cited by Obi showed no evidence that the alleged amount had ever been deposited into the account.

    The commissioner said the account was an internally generated revenue consolidated account rather than an ecological fund account, and challenged Obi to explain where the money was kept if it was not in the account he identified.

    The latest exchange has renewed debate over the financial position of Anambra at the end of Obi’s tenure, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the state’s debts, arrears and funds left for subsequent administrations.

    ### Obi opens up academic records

    In a separate development, Obi said he had no objection to legitimate scrutiny of his academic records.

    The NDC presidential candidate said he had authorised the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and other institutions he attended to release his academic records, subject to applicable laws and institutional procedures.

    He said the records could include his certificates, admission documents and other official academic information relating to his studies.

    Obi said candidates seeking public office should be prepared to subject their qualifications and records to legitimate scrutiny, describing transparency and accountability as important to public confidence.

    “I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records,” he said.

    He also challenged other presidential candidates to make their educational qualifications and relevant academic records available for legitimate public examination.

    ### Obi camp questions reported Tinubu endorsement

    Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Media Office has raised concerns over reports that about 600 university academics endorsed President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr., the media office said the reported endorsement raised questions because university academics have previously been recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission for electoral duties, including as returning and collation officers.

    The group argued that academics who publicly support a presidential candidate could face questions about perceived impartiality if subsequently appointed to sensitive electoral positions.

    It urged INEC to identify academics involved in political endorsements and consider excluding them from sensitive electoral assignments in 2027.

    The media office also called on INEC to publish the names of prospective returning and collation officers ahead of elections, saying this would allow political parties, civil society groups and members of the public to scrutinise potential conflicts of interest.

    The reported endorsement and the allegations raised by Obi’s media office remain claims by the political campaign, rather than an established finding that any electoral process has been compromised.