NDC aspirants warn Obi presidency will face scrutiny if elected in 2027
House of Representatives aspirants on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on Friday warned that Peter Obi could be removed from office if elected president in 2027 and failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
The remarks were made during a press conference in Abuja where NDC aspirants and members of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy, COPDEM, outlined plans to build what they described as an accountable and people oriented opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting followed the recent defection of Obi and former Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the NDC amid ongoing opposition coalition talks.
Speaking during the briefing, Nnamdi Iroegbu, NDC aspirant for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo State, said every government must be held accountable, including a possible Obi administration.
“By the time he comes on board and fails to do the bidding of the Nigerian people, he will be disengaged,” he said.
Iroegbu also expressed confidence that the next National Assembly would differ from previous assemblies, urging Nigerians not to allow themselves to be manipulated by political elites.
“One thing is also certain. There will not be any breach in 2027. There will be no announcements of the results while we are sleeping. INEC should also realise that it is not an appendage of the government,” he added.
Backing a possible Obi Kwankwaso presidential ticket, Akor Christian Oche, National Youth Leader of COPDEM, described the alliance as a formidable political combination.
“Gladly, our consensus candidate, the one we are looking up to become the next president of Nigeria, Peter Obi, has joined the NDC. Obi did not just join, he came with Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso and the entire Kwankwasiyya Movement. This is a good combination for Nigerians,” he said.
Oche argued that the political class had long divided Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines, adding that the coalition represented a bridge between the North and the South.
The conference, themed “Rescue Nigeria: Consolidating Hope, Building a New Beginning,” focused on economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and governance concerns.
Gambari Ismaila, aspirant for Bwari Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, described the gathering as “a national awakening”.
“This is the moment we draw a line in the sand and declare that enough is enough,” he said.
“Our hope is not dead. It is alive, angry, and rising like a mighty tide ready to sweep away failure and mediocrity.”
He added that the movement sought to build a national coalition driven by justice, equity, security and shared prosperity.
Ismaila also paid tribute to Henry Seriake Dickson, founder and national leader of the NDC.
Also speaking, Kingsley Ndube, aspirant for Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State, said many of the aspirants were motivated by patriotism rather than personal gain.
“You can see that many of us are not coming from the establishment. We are vying for the National Assembly because we are passionate about this country. We will always ask questions,” he said.
Ndube added that the aspirants were committed to ensuring that legislative duties remained people oriented and accountable to Nigerians.
Other participants at the conference said COPDEM would continue mobilising support for the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.