‘No One Will Stop Me’: Obi Rallies Troops After Party Is Axed

ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has declared that “nobody will stop him” from contesting the 2027 general election, following a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of his party.

Speaking at a leadership programme hosted by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University Okija, Anambra State, on Friday, Mr Obi insisted that powerful forces were determined to keep him off the ballot but would ultimately fail.

“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised,” Mr Obi told the audience.

“The Nigerian Government is doing everything to ensure that I do not contest in this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles but at the destination.”

The former Anambra State governor, who finished third in the 2023 presidential race, struck a defiant tone as he addressed supporters, maintaining that he remained focused on “the fruitfulness of the destination” rather than the hurdles before him.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian President but desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said, urging citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). “If you don’t vote, you are hurting your future. When you have your PVC, do not vote for me because I’m an Igbo man. I’m not contesting the election because I’m an Igbo man, but vote for me because I’m the most qualified.”

Court Judgment ‘Not the End of the Road’

The NDC candidate’s remarks came in response to a Federal High Court judgment on Friday that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister his party.

“They cannot stop me. They will fail,” he declared. “Let me assure you it is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy and to those who want to kill this democracy — they are trying to hurt society.”

Mr Obi warned that “reactionary elements” were bent on holding Nigeria back, but expressed confidence that the will of the people would ultimately prevail.

“No where is safe in Nigeria today, yet the people who should help salvage the country are bent on hurting our democracy,” he said.

“My message to all those who mean well for Nigeria — and not just my supporters — is for us to remain peaceful and continue to resist this tragedy being imposed on Nigeria.”

Debate Challenge to President Tinubu

In a direct challenge to the political establishment, Mr Obi called on President Bola Tinubu and other candidates to engage in a public debate on their visions for the country.

“I challenge any of those contesting to a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including President Bola Tinubu,” he said. “I’m not saying it to make you happy but to change Nigeria and make it work.”

NDC to Appeal

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress has rejected the court judgment, announcing that it has instructed its legal team to file an appeal against the ruling.

Party officials described the deregistration order as an attack on democracy and vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to restore the party’s status ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political analysts have suggested that the court ruling represents a significant setback for Mr Obi’s presidential ambitions, though the NDC candidate appears determined to press ahead with his campaign regardless of the legal obstacles.