The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that there are efforts by the Federal Government to prevent him from participating in the 2027 presidential election, asserting that such attempts would not succeed.
He spoke about when the Federal High Court in Lokoja delivered a judgment that set aside its December 2025 verdict directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register NDC.
Presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, the court vacated the prior order following an application by an unregistered association, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed interest in the logo adopted by the NDC.
The judge held that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective for failing to join all necessary parties and ordered a fresh hearing with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC joined as parties, while restoring the status quo ante.
His media office described the ruling which mandated INEC, not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of all legal issues surrounding it, as a hurdle and not a stop sign.
Obi, while speaking during an engagement at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, the challenges facing his political ambition, he remains determined to pursue his presidential bid.
According to him, “If I tell you about what I am going through today, I won’t be here. Today, everything is being done to ensure that Peter Obi won’t be on the ballot next year.
“But I tell you, they won’t succeed. We are determined because if you live where there is no obstacle, then you don’t have the political will to change the society. It is the obstacle that strengthens leaders.
“I know that for me to get there, I must surmount obstacles. Things will be difficult, but determination is what will take us there. The important thing is for me to reach my destination,” he said.
The former Anambra governor urged eligible Nigerians to register to vote and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing the importance of participating in the electoral process.
“If you don’t vote, you are hurting your future,” the presidential candidate stated, stressing that his presidential aspiration is based on competence rather than ethnicity.
Obi also challenged other presidential aspirants, including President Bola Tinubu, to a public debate on their plans for the country.
“I challenge any of them to a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including the incumbent president. I want to change Nigeria,” he said.
