By James
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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has expressed concern about his personal safety, saying he cannot guarantee that he will be alive to participate in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
He attributed his fears to what he described as persistent intimidation and frustration of opposition politicians.
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, portions of which were shared on social media on Wednesday.
Responding to a question about the possibility of contesting the 2027 presidential election, he said the issue was no longer merely whether he would emerge as a candidate.
“I might not even be alive,” Obi said, adding that he believes virtually every aspect of his public engagements has been deliberately obstructed.
He alleged that actions taken against him were part of a broader pattern aimed at discouraging opposition voices, although he stopped short of directly accusing any individual or government agency of plotting against him.
According to Obi, routine activities that should ordinarily proceed without difficulty have increasingly become challenging. He claimed that he encounters obstacles almost every day and believes they are designed to frustrate his public engagements.
The former Anambra State governor also alleged that members of the opposition are facing similar treatment, insisting that the pressure extends beyond him personally.
To illustrate his claims, Obi recalled an incident at an airport where officials allegedly immobilised his vehicle while other vehicles parked in the same location were left untouched. He said he identified himself to the officials but was allegedly told it made no difference.
He further claimed that some acquaintances now avoid greeting him in public for fear of being identified with an opposition politician, while others have reportedly asked him not to attend family celebrations, expressing concern that his presence could attract unwanted attention.
Obi did not present evidence to support the allegations during the interview.
The politician has remained one of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures since the 2023 general election, frequently commenting on governance, the economy and national affairs while maintaining an active presence across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government of Nigeria had not issued any official response to the allegations.
Obi’s comments have since generated widespread reactions, with political observers saying the remarks are likely to intensify discussions about political tolerance, democratic freedoms and the environment for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
