Former Labour Party presidential candidate and 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, says he cannot say with certainty that he will be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election, alleging that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has been frustrating his activities and those of other opposition figures.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, excerpts of which were shared on X on Wednesday.
Responding to a question about his chances of contesting the next presidential election, Obi said he was more concerned about staying alive than securing a place on the ballot.
"Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I'm telling you," he said.
According to him, the Federal Government has been making it increasingly difficult for him to carry out his daily activities.
"Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive," Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor, however, stopped short of directly accusing the government of plotting against him, saying he was only speaking about the pattern of events he had experienced.
"It's not an accusation. I know. I get frustration every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal—it is not normal anymore.
"They won't come directly and say, 'Oh, we're doing this,' but you can see their hand in virtually everything," he said.
Obi further alleged that the pressure was not directed at him alone but extended to other members of the opposition.
"They are attacking everybody who is in opposition personally. I am being attacked personally. Everything. Even to provide me with necessary things that I should have been entitled to, not at all," he stated.
He cited what he described as harassment at an airport, alleging that airport officials locked his vehicle while other cars parked in the same area were left untouched.
"I had a case recently at the airport, where people who work in the airport came and locked my car. And I said, 'It's me.' The person in charge said he doesn't care.
"But I said, 'Look at the cars of other people.' And you could see them talking to each other, as if, 'Who is this one?'"
Obi also claimed that some people now avoid acknowledging him publicly for fear of being associated with him.
"And I see people I know at the airport, they will not greet me because they are fearing that if they greet me..."
He added that some supporters had even advised him against attending family ceremonies.
"And I have people send me invitations and say, 'My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don't come,'" he said.
Obi did not provide evidence to support the allegations made during the interview.
The Federal Government had not responded to his claims as of the time this report was filed.
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