Obi says government pressure may prevent him from contesting 2027 election
Peter Obi has claimed that persistent government pressure and intimidation could prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has claimed that persistent government pressure could prevent him from contesting the next presidential election, saying he “might not even be alive” by then. During an interview, Obi alleged that the government was deliberately frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures, though he said he was not making a direct accusation.
The former Anambra State governor claimed he faced daily acts of intimidation, including being denied privileges he was entitled to. He cited an incident at an airport where officials allegedly locked his car while leaving others untouched, describing it as an example of harassment. Obi also alleged that some acquaintances avoided greeting him publicly and that supporters had asked him not to attend family events for fear of attracting attention.
“I might not even be alive by the time of the election because of the way they are targeting us,” Obi said. “I am not saying the government is responsible for anything, but I know what I go through daily.”
His comments come amid growing tension between the opposition and the Tinubu administration. The Federal Government had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
This is not the first time Obi has raised concerns about political intimidation. In May 2026, he alleged that his campaign rallies were being disrupted by security agencies. The government denied the allegations at the time.
The pattern is familiar. Opposition figures in Nigeria have long complained of harassment, surveillance and denial of privileges. The 2019 elections were marked by similar allegations, with opposition candidates claiming they were subjected to unfair treatment by security agencies. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a perception that the playing field is not level.
The winners: none, if the allegations are true. The losers: Nigerian democracy, which suffers when opposition figures feel threatened, and the Nigerian public, which loses out on the benefits of a competitive political process.
Bottom Line: Peter Obi says he might not survive to contest the 2027 election. That is not a political statement. That is a warning.