I might not be alive to contest in 2027 if they have the opportunity – Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has said he may not be alive to contest the poll, alleging that the Federal Government is frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, excerpts of which were shared on X on Wednesday.
Responding to a question on whether there was a possibility he might not be a candidate in the 2027 presidential election, Obi said, “Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you.”
He alleged that the current administration had consistently frustrated his activities, saying, “Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility that, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive.”
The former Anambra State governor, however, clarified that he was not making a direct accusation but was speaking from what he described as his daily experiences.
“It’s not an accusation. I know. I get frustration every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal, but 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,” he said.
Asked whether he believed he was being singled out, Obi claimed the alleged intimidation extended to members of the opposition 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.
Obi cited an incident at an airport where he alleged officials locked his vehicle while other cars 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 other cars parked in the same place, and you could see them talking among themselves, as if to say, ‘Who is this one?'” he said.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also claimed that some people now avoided publicly associating with him out of fear of being targeted.
“I see people I know at the airport, but they won’t greet me because they are afraid that if they do, they could become targets,” he alleged.
According to Obi, some supporters have even discouraged him from attending family events.
“I have people who send me invitations and say, ‘My son or daughter is getting married, but please don’t come,'” he added.
Obi did not provide evidence to support the allegations during the interview, and as of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not responded to his claims.