Obioha Insists Peter Obi Must Be On 2027 Presidential Ballot

Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, Leader of Njiko Igbo Forum, has warned that Nigeria might not successfully conduct the 2027 general election if Peter Obi is prevented from appearing on the presidential ballot.

The comment followed the judgement of the Federal High Court on Friday, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the judgment in Lokoja, according to reports, held that the earlier judgment of the court affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, PMP, which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC.

The judge ruled that the PMP was not added as a party in the original suit despite its claim over the disputed logo.

Obioha said the agency had suffered a setback in public confidence because of what he described as inconsistent decisions and accused the current administration of weakening the institution.

He said: “The citizens of this country, the genuine citizens of this country, who are looking up to a democracy that would have been meant to be sustained and maintained are not looking at the courts at all.

“Now we have no respect for the judiciary in Nigeria. The judiciary in Nigeria is full of inconsistencies. Then, adding to the leadership of this country, the APC government of this country, that influenced what they have done since they came into power, especially since Tinubu came into power.

He has damaged the judiciary, he has messed them up.

“As for the political arrangements or pronouncements by the courts, we don’t trust them anymore because they are one of the arms of government that are weak, that should be strengthened.

“If Peter Obi is frustrated and is not on the ballot there will be no election in 2027. This is not a threat. That’s the way it’s going to turn out. I’m trying to… You can call it prophecy, if you like. I’m a reverend. Whatever you want to call it, I’m just warning Nigerians.”

“If Peter Obi, with all the struggles and the level he is now, is frustrated not to be on the ballot, there will be no election in 2027.

“And on the 29th of May next year, Tinubu will not be the president because we are tired of the system. We are weary.

“We are strangulated and the rest will be story about this country called Nigeria.”