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ADC predicts “earthquake” as Turaki PDP clears Jonathan ahead of 2027

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The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led interim factional National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, screened 12 governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections, while granting automatic clearance to former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential aspirant.

Chairman of the PDP INWC screening committee and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, represented by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, made the disclosure while answering questions from journalists after the screening exercise in Abuja on Tuesday.

Reacting, the African Democratic Congress, said Jonathan’s joining the presidential race will alter the country’s political calculations and trigger fresh strategic thinking across party lines.

Jonathan, who served as President between 2010 and 2015, was reportedly granted a waiver on Tuesday by a PDP screening panel headed by Aliyu, paving the way for a possible return to the presidential race.

Though the development is yet to receive formal confirmation from the national leadership of the PDP, it has already generated intense debate within political circles, with analysts suggesting that Jonathan’s re-emergence could reshape alignments ahead of the next general election.

Earlier, a former presidential aide and chieftain of the PDP, Umar Sani, alleged that Jonathan had already obtained a presidential nomination form ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sani, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Sambo, made the assertion during an appearance on Trust TV on Tuesday.

His comments come amid renewed political consultations involving Jonathan across various political blocs, sparking fresh speculation that the former president may be considering a return to active politics nearly 12 years after leaving office.

Although Jonathan has yet to officially declare his ambition or reveal the platform under which he may contest, Sani hinted that the lingering internal crisis within the PDP may be responsible for the former president’s cautious posture.

He also rejected claims that the party was merely attempting to exploit Jonathan’s popularity for political advantage.

Sani stated, “The issue is not about whether we will extract commitment from him. What is most important in politics is action.

“If your action suggests you are interested, there are certain actions to follow. One of which is the procurement of the nomination form.

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“He has procured the nomination form. In fact, he is about to come and submit the forms publicly. So it is not an issue of whether we are trying to bring or use him for our face-saving grace, whatever. No.

“The fact of the matter is that we believe that Jonathan is the right choice at this moment. We are very confident that the matter will be thrown out because you cannot relitigate something that has already been decided upon,” Sani said.

According to him, only the Supreme Court could overturn earlier decisions on Jonathan’s eligibility, insisting that the pending matter before Justice Peter Lifu would likely be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction when it comes up on May 26.

The PDP chieftain also dismissed claims that Jonathan’s supporters were merely exploiting his name for political relevance, insisting that many Nigerians remained emotionally attached to the former president due to memories of his administration.

“Most Nigerians know him and are nostalgic about Jonathan. At the time he left office, many people felt the PDP was not performing, but now Nigerians have seen the difference clearly,” he added.

The chairman of the screening committee explained that the party had granted a screening waiver to a presidential aspirant due to his extensive political background, effectively clearing Jonathan as the PDP’s candidate.

He also noted that a similar waiver was given to former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, adding that while other aspirants were still being screened, Jonathan remained the only confirmed presidential aspirant of the party.

He stated, “The party had already given a presidential aspirant a waiver from screening. As I said in the beginning, he was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president, and became president, so we did not see anything that required screening.

“Therefore, the party granted him a waiver. In other words, he has been declared and cleared as the PDP candidate for the presidential election, and that is former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The other waiver is for the former deputy governor, ambassador, and secretary of the party, Taofeek Arapaja, who, for many reasons, had to remain in Ibadan, Oyo State, to ensure that everything went well. So, we also declared that he had been granted a waiver by the party.

“The others, as I am sure you have interacted with many of them who came here, include two aspirants from Taraba, one from Adamawa, one from Kano, one from Akwa Ibom, one from Delta, and another from Kano.

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“Anytime the other aspirants come within the screening period, we will continue the screening exercise,” he said.

A Kebbi State Governorship aspirant, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Manga, confirmed that he was successfully cleared after submitting his nomination form and undergoing screening to contest the governorship of Kebbi State.

Also, Delta governorship aspirant Benedict Etanabene said he joined the PDP after the Labour Party dissolved its state structures, questioning its viability in Delta State and criticising its reported support for the sitting president.

PDP governorship candidate in Yobe State, Sharif Abdullahi, said he is contesting again in 2027 after participating in the 2023 election, adding that if elected, he would focus on improving education, healthcare, and agriculture in the state.

Earlier, the Turaki faction had disclosed that a total of 2,122 aspirants are expected to be screened for state Houses of Assembly, 748 for the House of Representatives, 198 senatorial aspirants, 112 governorship aspirants, and one presidential aspirant.

On April 30, the Supreme Court, in a close 3–2 decision, invalidated the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.

The convention, which had the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had produced a leadership headed by Turaki (SAN).

In response to the judgment, the Board of Trustees Chairman, aligned with the Makinde faction, Adolphus Wabara, argued that the Supreme Court’s position on the suspension of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s ally and PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, along with others, suggested that the party currently lacks a legally recognised leadership structure.

Following this development, the 103rd National Executive Committee meeting of the Makinde bloc of the PDP, held on Monday, approved a 13-member Caretaker Committee headed by Turaki (SAN) as chairman to oversee party affairs.

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Reacting to Jonathan’s emergence in a statement posted on its verified X handle, @ADCVANGUARD, the ADC said Jonathan’s potential candidacy introduced a new layer of complexity for both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties preparing for 2027.

The party said, “Jonathan’s possible return will shake the PDP, disturb APC calculations, unsettle Labour Party sympathisers, and force every political camp to rethink strategy.

“Whether people like him or not, GEJ remains one of the few Nigerian politicians whose name still carries national emotion. Some remember him for peacefully conceding defeat. Others criticise his administration. But nobody can deny that his entrance into the race changes the conversation.”

The ADC further described the reported clearance as more than an internal PDP affair, arguing that it signalled the return of old political forces ahead of what could become one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested elections since 1999.

“The PDP screening committee clearing former President Goodluck Jonathan on waiver to contest the 2027 presidential election is not just another party headline.

“It is a political signal. It means one thing clearly: the old forces are returning to the battlefield, and every major bloc is now preparing for a serious national contest,” the party stated.

Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has remained an influential political figure on the continent, largely through diplomatic and peace-building engagements across Africa.

Over the years, there have been repeated calls from political groups urging him to return to active politics, particularly following growing public dissatisfaction with economic conditions and governance challenges.

The ADC argued that the former president’s perceived moderation and national appeal could pose a fresh challenge to President Bola Tinubu and the APC, especially amid rising public frustration over inflation, insecurity and the cost of living crisis.

“For APC, this is another headache. Tinubu is already battling public anger over hardship, insecurity, inflation, and broken expectations.

“Now imagine facing a former president with nostalgia value, a soft public image, and a familiar national network. That is not a small challenge,” the party added.

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APC primary disputes driven by ambition, not people’s interest — Ex- gov aspirant

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A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, has described the lingering dispute over the party’s governorship primary as a struggle driven by personal ambition rather than the interest of the people, saying political leaders should focus on addressing the state’s developmental challenges instead of pursuing power.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Thursday, he lamented that political discussions in the state had become centred on individual aspirations instead of policies capable of improving the lives of Kwarans.

Sulaiman said the ongoing agitation by some dissatisfied aspirants under the platform of the G-15 had diverted attention from pressing issues confronting residents, including insecurity, unemployment, poverty and poor infrastructure.

“I think it is rather unfortunate that we have grown men fighting like schoolchildren whose principal has denied them candy. The debate should be about the needs of our people, not about a sense of political entitlement,” he said.

According to him, the state’s political class should be presenting practical solutions to the challenges facing the people rather than engaging in post-primary disputes.

“Kwara is one of the states badly affected by insecurity. People have vacated their villages, farmers cannot go to their farms, women struggle to go to markets, and unemployment remains very high.

“Nobody has really come out to say, ‘This is how I will tackle insecurity, create jobs, improve education, or develop infrastructure.’ The debate has become about who wants to be governor because they want to be king,” he added.

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The former APC governorship aspirant said he had always approached politics from the perspective of service and development, stressing that leadership should be based on competence rather than personal ambition.

“I have never fought for any position because of self-gratification. I have always believed our people deserve better, and I have always engaged in politics based on issues,” he said.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the APC governorship primary, Sulaiman maintained that every aspirant willingly participated in the party’s internal process and should respect its outcome.

“The process was there for everybody to see. Once the game has been played and a winner declared, people cannot suddenly begin to fault the process simply because it did not favour them.
“If those complaining today had emerged through the same process, would they have rejected the nomination? I don’t think so,” he said.

He argued that members of the G-15 should have raised any concerns about the process before the emergence of the party’s candidate rather than after the exercise had been concluded.

Sulaiman also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s position that APC governors would play a leading role in the emergence of their successors, saying Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remained the recognised leader of the party in Kwara State.

“The President made it clear that governors would choose their successors. In Kwara, the governor is the leader of the party. If there were laid-down guidelines that were breached, those complaining should have pointed them out,” he said.

He reiterated that politics should remain a vehicle for delivering good governance and recalled that his own campaign was anchored on the Kwara Prosperity Agenda, which prioritised security, healthcare, education, infrastructure and youth employment.

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Despite the disagreements within the ruling party, Sulaiman expressed confidence that the APC would remain united ahead of the 2027 governorship election and retain power in the state.

“When it comes to campaigns, there is nothing the opposition can say that can beat the APC at the polls. Our people are intelligent and can compare performances.

“I have seen Kwara under the PDP and under the APC. Whether it is healthcare, education, sports facilities, or infrastructure, people can judge for themselves.

“Eventually, Kwara North will come together, Kwara Central will play its role, and Kwara South will be decisive. Based on the performance of the APC and what I know about our people, I believe the party will still carry the day in 2027,” he said.

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Tinubu unveils grassroots movement, defends economic reforms

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President Bola Tinubu has pledged not to betray the trust Nigerians placed in him, maintaining that his administration’s economic reforms are designed to build a stronger and more prosperous future for the country.

Tinubu, speaking through Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement executives on Thursday, said the grassroots mobilisation initiative would help promote the Renewed Hope agenda nationwide.

In his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, the President declared that “subsidy is gone,” formally ending Nigeria’s petrol subsidy regime.

The announcement, alongside other key reforms such as the unification of the foreign exchange market, led to a significant increase in fuel prices, higher transportation costs, and a rise in the cost of goods and services nationwide.

More than three years later, the APC-led Federal Government has maintained that the funds saved from the subsidy removal have been invested in programmes designed to improve citizens’ welfare and drive national development, while insisting that its broader economic reforms are beginning to produce positive outcomes.

Akpabio said Tinubu’s reforms had improved Nigeria’s economy, noting that monthly allocations to the three tiers of government had risen from less than N700bn to over N2tn.

Speaking before political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups and other stakeholders, the President said his administration remained committed to strengthening the country despite the tough policy decisions taken since he assumed office.

“I am delighted to be here, to see what Nigerians are doing from their hearts for the development of the nation. I can see people interested in the future of the country,” the President said.

He added, “I am determined never to betray the trust of Nigerians and the vision of ensuring a better Nigeria.”

He stated, “Every great nation is built one citizen at a time, like a building block; one community at a time. Before there are crowds, there are households. Before there are victories at the ballot boxes, there are competitions at the doorsteps of every home.

“A movement that goes from door to door must do more than just seek support from every door it touches. It must carry truth, inspire confidence, listen to the people and household owners, and return to those same doors to tell them about the dividends of good governance after the goods. That is how democracies endure.

“The theme before us today speaks to one of the oldest truths in nation-building: every generation must decide whether it will choose the comfort of the familiar or the courage and discomfort of embracing necessary changes.

“Nations do not become great because they avoid difficult decisions. They become great because they confront difficulties with wisdom, patience, and patriotism.

“President Tinubu has repeatedly reminded us that reform is not an event, but a journey. The purpose of reform is not to make life difficult for the people, but to lay the foundation upon which future generations can build lives of greater dignity, prosperity, opportunities, and lasting progress. Lasting progress is rarely achieved without temporary sacrifice.”

Tinubu said all arms of government remained committed to supporting his administration’s reforms while prioritising Nigeria’s national interest and citizens’ welfare.

He continued, “Good governance succeeds when the executive, the legislature, and the Nigerian people move forward together. So we are working together to ensure that every Nigerian feels the impact of our reforms.

“Politics should never divide us beyond repair. Elections may produce winners and losers, but Nigeria must always emerge the ultimate victor.

“Our nation is greater than any political party. Nigeria is greater than any officeholder. Nigeria is greater than any election.

“We inherited this republic from those who toiled and built it before us, and we hold it in trust for those who will come after us. Many of them are in this hall. Let us therefore conduct ourselves in ways that future generations will remember with gratitude.”

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Speaking to the executives of the movement, Tinubu said, “As you are inaugurated today, remember that you are ambassadors, not merely of a political movement, but of democratic engagement and process.

“Knock on every door with respect. Listen before you persist. Unite before you mobilise. Let every conversation strengthen faith in our democracy and confidence in Nigeria’s future.

“When politics is conducted with patriotism and service, every door opened becomes another gateway to national renewal. And every door leads to renewed hope for a greater Nigeria and, of course, a more prosperous nation.”

Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said reforms introduced by Tinubu were repositioning Nigeria and setting the country on the path of economic recovery.

They said the President’s policies, including fuel subsidy removal, tax reforms and other initiatives, were products of collaboration between the executive and legislature aimed at achieving national development.

Akpabio added that the reforms had strengthened states’ finances and reduced reliance on oil revenue, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s future would continue to improve under the current administration.

He stated, “We appreciate the President for putting on a thinking cap and turning Nigeria around in just three years. A nation that had less than N700bn is now sharing over N2tn monthly with the states and the Federal Government.

“And the governors here can confirm, particularly Governor (Umaru) Bago and Governor Dapo (Abiodun), that they no longer borrow money because we have been able to build a non-oil economy.

“We are no longer a mono-economy dependent on oil because of the thinking of this President. So, you can imagine supporting him beyond 2027. I can see a brighter future.

“I will end not from the voice of the President, but from the voice of the National Assembly. I can see everything turning around for our good.”

In his comment, Abbas praised the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement for taking a political engagement, highlighting Tinubu’s reforms at the grassroots, saying collaboration between the executive and legislature had produced policies aimed at repositioning Nigeria.

“You have chosen to take politics back to where it belongs, to the people and the Nigerian citizens.

“Door-to-door, street-to-street, ward-to-ward. In an age when engagement is often reduced to slogans, you have chosen conversation over confrontation and contact over commotion.

“Democracy is not an abstract concept. It lives in our compounds and our markets. It lives in our town halls and our places of worship. It lives in the daily conversations of ordinary Nigerians.

“Let me say it plainly and without flattery: history will remember this President for his courage. He met a nation at a crossroads and chose the path of conviction over convenience.

“The fuel subsidy was removed, the exchange rate was unified, and the tax system was reformed from the ground up through the reform acts that took effect in January this year.

“These are not decisions taken for applause. They were decisions taken for posterity.

“Yes, the road has demanded sacrifice, and we do not take that sacrifice lightly. But the early dividends are visible: rising revenues, returning confidence, and a fiscal system that rewards production, not consumption,” he said.

The Speaker said the government’s major reforms were achieved through collaboration between the executive and legislature, with key policies receiving legislative input and approval in line with the Constitution.

He continued, “Renewal is not the burden of one man. However gifted or determined, it requires the confidence of the whole society: the President who leads, the legislature that refines and oversees, the judiciary that upholds the law, the local government that delivers, the civil service that implements, the private sector that creates, and citizens who participate, pay their taxes, hold leaders accountable, and keep faith with the Nigerian project.

“So when you knock on the door, you are not merely canvassing for a candidate. You are inviting a fellow citizen to share in the ownership of Nigeria’s new renewal.

“As a servant of the people and a student of history, I offer this counsel: mobilisation is a means, not an end. The strength of a movement is not measured by the size of its crowds, but by the quality of its conversations.

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“Make your engagement a two-way street. When you knock, do not only speak; listen. And when you have listened, report back.

“What you gather at the grassroots is valuable information that tells us where politics touches the ground and where it does not. By becoming a channel between citizens and the state, this movement will serve Nigeria far beyond any single election.”

The Speaker urged members of the movement to focus on issue-based campaigns, promote inclusiveness and engage Nigerians with facts ahead of the 2027 elections.

He charged the movement to take the message of renewal to communities across the country, saying members should listen to citizens, promote peaceful political participation and win support through dialogue rather than division.

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, expressed confidence that the reforms introduced by the President would help reposition Nigeria, saying the administration would achieve more if given another opportunity.

Bago commended the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement as a strategic platform to support the APC’s campaign efforts, saying it would mobilise support for the party’s candidates from the presidency to state assemblies.

The national chairman, Prof Yilwatda, urged members of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to take the message of the Tinubu administration’s achievements to Nigerians at the grassroots.

Yilwatda said elections are won through direct engagement with citizens, urging members of the movement to reach out to communities, listen to their concerns and communicate the government’s policies and programmes.

He stated, “This group will brighten the entire country. They will awaken an army of people that will drive the support of Mr President across the nation.

“It is to begin a movement that will knock on every door, touch every heart, inspire every family, and carry the message of Renewed Hope from corner to corner until the entire country listens.

“We know elections are not won in television studios or by making comments on TV and social media. We know that we are not alone. We are not alone.

“Rather, elections are won in homes, in the homes of people. They are won in market spaces, where we have market women and where people transact.

“Who will tell our story as a government if we do not know the truth and remain silent? Who will speak of our progress if the builders refuse to speak? And who will defend the hope that we have? If this new hope remains silent, who will defend the hope that we have? If this new message is not told in homes, who will celebrate our achievements if others decide to bury our successes in misinformation?

“That is why PBAT Door-to-Door is a mission, a calling, and a particular responsibility given to you today to ensure that every Nigerian cares about the success story of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The APC chairman said Tinubu’s achievements had placed the economy on a positive path, noting that economic recovery is underway.

“The Nigerian economy is now returning from amber to green. Our GDP is growing at an average of 4 per cent. We are picking up from where we thought we would not grow again. Everybody’s confidence is building so that it grows globally. People now believe in us, and we must tell the story.

“We must inform people that our tax reforms, our health reform initiatives, have given more power to local governments, strengthened state governments, and supported the various projects across Nigeria.

“They are stories of the success of the reforms by the Federal Government. We must tell those stories. Those stories will be heard, and they must be heard.

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“Clearly, across Nigeria, you can see infrastructure rising across the country. From state governors to the Federal Government, you can see infrastructure across the country.

“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is connecting the maritime sector, connecting the economy, connecting the oil sector, and connecting the entire economic corridor across the country.

“The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, with over 300 dams for agricultural development, is creating a new food corridor and connecting commerce across our nation.

“The longest ever route to be constructed in Nigeria, the Trans-Saharan Superhighway, from Calabar to Ebonyi, Ebonyi to Enugu, Enugu to Benue, Benue to the FCT, the FCT back to Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa.

“The Trans-Saharan State route, from Nasarawa State to Jos, Jos to Bauchi, Bauchi to Gombe, Gombe to Yobe, and Yobe to Maiduguri, is over 1,300 kilometres of road.

“This will be the longest road ever connecting the South-South to the South-East, to the North-Central, and to the North-East, connecting four regions of Nigeria at the same time,” he said.

Yilwatda also listed Federal Government projects, including the AKK gas pipeline and rail infrastructure, adding that they would boost economic growth, support businesses, and create jobs across Nigeria.

He also praised the student loan scheme for expanding access to education, urging members of the movement to take the government’s achievements to Nigerians at the grassroots.

While inaugurating the National Executive Committee of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, the APC national chairman charged members to take their message directly to Nigerians through grassroots engagement.

Earlier in his remarks, the founder of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, represented by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited Managing Director, High Chief Kestin Pondi, praised Tinubu’s reforms, describing them as evidence of purposeful leadership, and urged members to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation, national unity and development.

He stated, “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional courage and visionary leadership through the bold reforms his administration has undertaken.

“To every Nigerian, we believe in the vision of a prosperous, united, and progressive nation. He represents purposeful leadership and renewed hope for a brighter Nigeria.

“The inauguration marks only the beginning of our journey. Together, we shall continue to mobilise at the grassroots, strengthen citizens’ engagement, and encourage constructive participation in nation-building.

“While the road ahead may be challenging, with unity, resilience, and determination, we are confident of reaching our destination.”

The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, pledged his commitment to advancing the vision of the movement and supporting Tinubu’s leadership.

Asuku, who stated this during his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, saying he would work towards taking the message of the movement’s agenda to Nigerians across communities.

“Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude, a mind committed to purpose, and a profound sense of the weight of the trust that has just been placed in my hands.

“I accept this appointment as the national coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 with deep humility, unwavering commitment, and a clear understanding of what this moment demands of me.

“It is essential, therefore, to look at the political landscape of this nation and the opportunity we have been given to build this platform, not for personal benefits, but as an instrument of national service.

“It is on the foundation of your vision that I now stand, and I will not let you down. So, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I will not let you down.”

The event featured cultural performances, paper presentations, a documentary highlighting Tinubu’s achievements, the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement National Executive, and the unveiling of buses for officials across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to support the movement’s activities.

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APC, opposition clash over Peter Obi safety allegation

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The All Progressives Congress and opposition parties on Wednesday clashed over claims by the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, that his life could be in danger, with the ruling party dismissing the allegation as baseless.

However, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the Obidient Movement Worldwide and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party accused the Federal Government of targeting opposition figures and warned it would be held responsible if anything happened to the former Anambra State governor.

The reactions followed Obi’s remarks during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, in which he alleged that the FG had been frustrating his activities and those of other opposition figures, adding that he might not even be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Responding to a question on whether there was a possibility he might not be a candidate in 2027, Obi said, “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.”

He, however, clarified that he was not making direct accusations but described daily experiences of obstruction.

“It’s not an accusation. I know. I get frustration every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal—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,” Obi said.

Asked whether the government was attacking him personally, the former Anambra State governor said the alleged treatment extended to members of the opposition.

“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 claimed officials locked his car despite other vehicles being parked in the same area.

“I had a case recently at the airport, where people who work in the airport came and locked my car, 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?’”

He further alleged that some people now avoided publicly associating with him for fear of becoming targets.

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

The former Labour Party presidential candidate also claimed that some supporters had discouraged him from attending family events.

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

Obi did not provide evidence to support his allegations during the interview, and the Federal Government had yet to respond to his claims as of the time of filing this report.

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Obi irrelevant – APC

Reacting, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, dismissed Obi’s allegations as baseless, insisting that it remained focused on governance and would defeat the opposition again in the 2027 election based on its performance.

Basiru said the APC remained focused on delivering good governance and was confident of defeating the opposition again in 2027.

“Obi has no relevance. Obi has been consigned to irrelevance, going by what the Nigerian people have been saying since that time. Obi and other opposition leaders have not made any showing in any electoral contest. The new party, NDC, we saw in the election three weeks ago in Ekiti and in some by-elections — they were not even known by the Nigerian people,” Basiru said.

“So, maybe Obi needs a psychiatric evaluation to know whether or not he is hallucinating. As far as we are concerned, the statement he made was born out of hallucination.

“APC is focused on delivering good governance that will renew the hope of all citizens. We are not bothered about Obi and other opposition leaders. We have defeated them in the past, and we will defeat them again in 2027 because our party has done well.”

He added, “The opposition has continued to resort to baseless allegations instead of presenting credible alternatives to Nigerians. Rather than engaging in fear-mongering and spreading unfounded claims, they should focus on explaining their programmes and policies to the electorate.

“In the APC government, our priority remains the implementation of policies that improve the lives of Nigerians, strengthen the economy, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens. We remain confident that our performance will speak for itself, and Nigerians will make their decision based on facts and results in 2027. And they will re-elect APC again.”

NDC warns FG

The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, said the party was disturbed by Obi’s claims and accused the Federal Government of failing to provide adequate security for the opposition leader.

Abdulsalam said, “I read the statement credited to His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, our presidential candidate earlier today (Wednesday). And I must say that I was seriously disturbed. It was very concerning.

“Again, I must say the government of the day under President Bola Tinubu is not doing very well in terms of caring to provide security for him. We, as a party, believe that somebody in the calibre of Mr. Peter Obi, a two-time presidential candidate, who did very well, garnered a lot of votes from all the nooks and crannies of this country should have been treated better than the way the federal government is curently treating him.

“It is even looking like the establishment is actually not interested in his security. If you see Obi, it is not that he has decided to keep modest security around him. He has been denied. They have systematically ensured that he does not get adequate security protection.

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“And as a party, we will hold the Federal Government responsible if anything happens to him because it is not about the state actors. There are non-state actors also who do not like him and may want to attempt something, either to intimidate, do bodily harm, or even attempt to take out his life as he has alleged. Nothing is impossible.”

He added, “We were all witnesses to what happened to former President Muhammadu Buhari, when he was attacked in Kaduna during the presidential campaign some time ago. Credit must be given to former President Goodluck Jonathan because we remember clearly that he provided him not just enough security officers from the DSS, army, and police, but also ensured that he gave him a bulletproof jeep.

“So, somebody in the standing of Peter Obi ought to have been treated better the way Jonathan treated Buhari. So, he is here today, he might not be there tomorrow. Any of his close relatives might also be vying for presidency tomorrow. How does he expect to be treated when he is treating another leader in this manner, simply because he has power?

“I think it’s a matter that, we as a party, are not happy about because the attempt on his life is very clear. When he went to Edo State, thugs were sent to attack him and they rained bullets on his vehicles. It was very obvious.

“Today, he is not being given adequate security. There is no special security protection for him, who is a main challenger going for a presidential contest. It is unheard of and unprecedented in the annals of the political history of Nigeria.

“So, as a party, we call on Mr. President to ensure that he provides adequate security to our presidential candidate, his running mate and all the candidates who are contesting. This is because under the Nigerian Constitution, they are entitled to it, especially at times like this, when they become very vulnerable.”

Obidients react

Reacting, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said Obi’s comments reflected what he described as the growing challenges faced by both the former governor and his supporters.

“Peter Obi is just trying to tell you the level of decay in our system and also being futuristic on how dangerously inclined this government can go, not only himself, but all of us that are following him. That is as bad as it can get.

“I remember granting an interview yesterday (Tuesday) when somebody called to tell me that we should all be careful. I don’t know where that is coming from in a democratic setting. So, if His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, is giving a synopsis of some of the things he is facing as an individual, you will find it difficult that virtually almost all of us are in danger.

“We are more or less like an endangered species in the quest for good life for Nigerians. That is the situation as we find ourselves. So, it is good that he has raised it in public domain so people will know the level of challenge and frustration that he is facing,” Tanko said.

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“At the moment, he has travelled and presently in America for a programme. On several occasions, he has been frustrated within Nigeria. For instance, we went to Bauchi where he was supposed to deliver a lecture at the university, they stopped him. Obi was supposed to deliver a lecture in Ahmadu Bello University, he was stopped. He was supposed to deliver another lecture at the University of Calabar, they stopped him again.

“He was supposed to also deliver a lecture in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. I was strictly involved in all of this. That one too was stopped. So you can see the level of frustration? He was trying to engage the Nigerian students. But these people always devise a means to stop him using all the mechanisms of the schools to prevent him from delivering those lectures to the youths.

“So, His Excellency is going through a lot. We are only taking some of the synopsis of some of the things that he is going through. When he mentioned it, he is just trying to tell you the level at which these people can go. That is the truth.”

PDP slams APC

Backing Obi’s claims, the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, in an interview with The PUNCH, accused the ruling APC of using political pressure against opposition figures out of fear of growing support ahead of the 2027 elections.

He stated, “It started with the PDP. When we had governors and the governors had legitimate reasons to see the President, the President wouldn’t see them. Have you heard that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has visited Abuja more than twice and waited to see the President but has not been able to see him.

“So, our leaders are being targeted. Opposition figures are being targeted everywhere in this country economically, socially, and I don’t even know, maybe spiritually too. So, the opposition is the target of the ruling party, and it’s simply a sign of being paranoid about the situation because they don’t know that, irrespective of how much they push, Nigerians would align with the opposition. Nigerians are opposed to them.

“So, any other person who is standing on the side of Nigerians, who has the capacity to be a leader in the opposition or the propensity to benefit or become a beneficiary of that anger, is the target of the ruling party.This administration has been administered as a criminal enterprise.

“Nigerians must continue to be resolute in their demand for transparency and in their demand for multi-party democracy.”

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