I may not be alive to contest 2027 — Peter Obi alleges political persecution

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has expressed fears that he may not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election, alleging that opposition figures are being subjected to intimidation and systematic harassment.

Mr Obi made the remarks in a preview of the yet-to-be-released podcast, With Chude, hosted by media entrepreneur, and the clip was shared on his X account on Wednesday.

Responding to a question about the possibility of not appearing on the ballot because of the lingering crisis in the NDC, Mr Obi said there was no guarantee he would even be alive by 2027.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you,” he said.

He alleged that the government was deliberately frustrating virtually every aspect of his public engagements.

“Every single thing I do, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor, however, clarified that he was not making a direct accusation against any individual but was describing what he said were persistent acts of obstruction.

“It’s not an accusation. I know. I get frustration every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal—it is not normal anymore.

“They won’t come directly and say, ‘Oh, we’re doing this,’ but you can see their hand in virtually everything,” Mr Obi said.

Asked whether he believed the government was targeting him personally, Mr Obi claimed the alleged intimidation extended to opposition politicians generally.

“They are attacking everybody who is in opposition personally. I am being attacked personally. Everything. Even to provide me with necessary things that I should have been entitled to, not at all,” he said.

Mr Obi also recounted an incident at an airport where he claimed officials locked his vehicle while other vehicles parked in the same area were left untouched.

“I had a case recently at the airport where people who work there came and locked my car. I told them it was my vehicle, but the person in charge said he didn’t care.

“I pointed to the cars belonging to other people, but they started talking among themselves as if asking, ‘Who is this one?’” he said.

The former governor further alleged that some of his associates had become reluctant to be seen with him publicly for fear of being victimised.

“I see people I know at the airport who will not greet me because they are afraid.

“I also have people sending me invitations to family events, only to add, ‘My son or daughter is getting married, but please don’t come,’” he said.