Obi Media Office alleges plot to block his presidential bid, accuses Tinubu, APC of ‘democratic subversion’
•Claims coordinated political, judicial, and electoral moves aimed at silencing opposition ahead of 2027
The Media Office of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over what it described as a “clandestine, well-orchestrated scheme” allegedly designed to block his participation in the 2027 general election, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of spearheading the plot.
In a strongly worded statement issued by spokesperson Ibrahim Umar, the office said Nigeria’s democracy was “under deliberate attack through coordinated political engineering, judicial manipulation, and institutional capture.”
“We strongly alert the nation and the international community to a sinister scheme orchestrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his ruling APC aimed at denying Obi a platform for the upcoming January 2027 poll,” the statement read.
According to the office, the alleged plot has been ongoing since after the 2023 elections, with claims that internal crises were deliberately injected into the Labour Party to weaken Obi’s political structure and block his consolidation ahead of 2027.
The statement further alleged that even after judicial interventions, including a referenced Supreme Court decision in April 2025, “lower courts were allegedly used to undermine the authority of the apex court,” creating prolonged instability within the party.
“When credible intelligence indicated that internal turmoil would persist until Obi was ousted, he made the difficult decision to exit the party to safeguard its future,” the office claimed.
It added that Obi’s exit from the Labour Party on December 31, 2025, was followed by what it described as a sudden shift in court actions days later, which it interpreted as confirmation of a premeditated political strategy.
The Media Office also said Obi’s alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition triggered a fresh wave of alleged political retaliation.
It pointed to legislative developments, describing them as “targeted amendments to the Electoral Act designed to weaken emerging opposition structures and apply pressure on the ADC coalition.”
The statement further referenced Obi’s March 22, 2026 visit to former Kano State Governor and NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying the engagement “intensified hostility” against him following his warm reception by Kwankwasiyya supporters.
“Obi’s engagement with key political actors and the growing momentum of the ADC coalition has unsettled the ruling establishment, prompting escalated attempts to frustrate his ambition,” the statement alleged.
It also cited a major ADC rally in Kano and reported realignments within opposition blocs as a “tipping point,” claiming that subsequent actions involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amounted to political interference.
“The government has manipulated INEC to reinterpret court rulings, leading to the delisting of ADC leadership structures and placing Obi and other aspirants at serious risk of being denied a platform,” it stated.
The office warned that the alleged developments represent a broader attempt to entrench one-party dominance in Nigeria.
“They are attempting to create an illusion of democratic choice while systematically dismantling opposition platforms,” the statement said.
It added that such a trajectory would “profoundly disenfranchise millions of Nigerians, especially youths, women, and professionals seeking a transformative break from corruption, waste, and consumption-driven governance.”
“We categorically condemn this disturbing trend as a blatant scheme to undermine democracy and entrench dictatorship,” it concluded.
The statement urged domestic and international stakeholders to intervene by safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring Obi’s full participation in the 2027 electoral contest.
“True democracy allows citizens to make informed choices. We call on all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of our democratic system. A new Nigeria is possible,” it added.
The statement was signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson for the Peter Obi Media Office, dated April 3, 2026.
