The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has downplayed concerns over the growing political support reportedly being enjoyed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that governors do not determine election outcomes.
Speaking during an interview with NoireTV, Obi maintained that the strength of any political movement lies with the people rather than elected officeholders, stressing that voter support remains the ultimate determinant of electoral victory.
“It doesn’t matter whether 36 governors are with the president. I didn’t have one governor in the last election, and I won 12 states,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also revisited his long-standing objections to the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, alleging that he was denied victory in two states through electoral manipulation.
“Even after they have stolen two from me, I won 12 states. By making Abuja a state, we now have 37 states, because that is what the judgment of the Supreme Court showed.
“Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso won one state, Kano. APC, PDP, and Labour all won 12 states each. And in it, I lost two by the process of rigging. So, I would have had 14,” he stated.
Obi argued that political endorsements and elite alliances should not be the central focus ahead of the 2027 elections. Instead, he said, the priority should be addressing the socio-economic challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.
“So it doesn’t matter whether they took all the governors. What is important, and what this election is going to be all about, is how to make Nigeria work for the poor,” he said.
The NDC candidate further called for a new political culture in which issues of ethnicity, religion, and regional identity no longer dominate national discourse.
“A Nigeria where tribe, ethnicity, and religion will not be the issue. The issue will be about the welfare of the people, the education of the people, and the health of the people. That’s the Nigeria we want. Nigerians are hungry today. Nigerians are looking for food,” Obi added.
His remarks come amid increasing political realignments and consultations among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. Several political parties and stakeholders are reportedly exploring possible alliances aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Tinubu’s administration.
Obi’s comments are also likely to reignite debate over the 2023 presidential election, the outcome of which he and his supporters have consistently challenged, citing alleged irregularities and electoral malpractice.
However, the election result was upheld by the courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which affirmed the victory of President Tinubu despite objections filed by opposition candidates.
