2027: Why I may not be alive to contest — Peter Obi

THE presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has explained why he believes he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election, alleging that the government is deliberately frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, shared on X by media personality Chude Jideonwo on Wednesday.

Responding to a question on whether there was a possibility he might not be the NDC’s presidential candidate in 2027, Obi said the issue went beyond his candidacy.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you.

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

The former governor of Anambra State, however, said he was not directly accusing anyone of plotting against him but maintained that he had consistently experienced what he described as deliberate obstruction.

“It’s not an accusation. I know. I get frustrated every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal, they are not normal anymore.

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

Asked whether he believed he was being singled out, Obi said the alleged actions were directed at opposition figures 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 also recounted what he described as an incident at an airport where officials allegedly locked his vehicle while leaving other vehicles parked in the same area untouched.

“I had a case recently at the airport, where people who work in the airport came and locked my car. And I said, ‘It’s me.’ The person in charge said he doesn’t care.

“But I said, ‘Look at the cars of other people.’ And you could see them talking to each other, as if, ‘Who is this one?’”

Obi further claimed that some people now avoid greeting him in public for fear of being associated with him.

“And I see people I know at the airport, they will not greet me because they are fearing that if they greet me…”

He added that some supporters had advised him not to attend family celebrations to avoid possible repercussions.

“And I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don’t come.’”

Obi’s comments come amid increased political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition parties intensifying consultations and preparations for the polls.