Obi Challenges Tinubu to Debate, Says Efforts to Stop 2027 Bid Will Fail

Presidential hopeful and leading figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of attempting to block his participation in the 2027 presidential election, declaring that neither political pressure nor recent court setbacks would deter him from pursuing his ambition.
Speaking on Friday at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, Obi alleged that powerful interests were working behind the scenes to prevent him from appearing on the ballot.
“Today, the Federal Government of Nigeria is doing everything possible to ensure that I am not a candidate in this election, but I will tell you that they won’t win,” Obi told the audience.
The former Anambra governor, however, insisted that challenges confronting his political movement would not force him to abandon the race, saying he remained focused on what he described as the larger goal of rebuilding Nigeria.
His comments came hours after a Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside an earlier judgment that led to the registration of the NDC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a ruling that has triggered reactions across the opposition landscape.
Despite the judgment, Obi maintained that the legal setback was only a temporary obstacle and not the end of the party’s political journey.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. Let me assure you it is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy and those who want to kill this democracy are trying to hurt the society,” he said.
In a move likely to heighten political debate ahead of the election season, Obi also challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other prospective presidential candidates to a public debate on their plans for the country.
“I challenge any of those contesting to a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Obi told the students that his political ambition was driven not by personal desire for office but by a determination to see Nigeria function effectively.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian President but desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said, while urging young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.
He also appealed to voters to assess candidates based on competence rather than ethnicity, arguing that national development should take precedence over regional considerations.
The remarks come amid intensifying political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections and growing opposition criticism of recent legal developments affecting political parties seeking to challenge the ruling establishment.