By Uzair Adam
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has claimed that persistent intimidation and alleged harassment by the Federal Government have made him uncertain about surviving to contest the next presidential election.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, where he alleged that the government had consistently frustrated his activities and targeted opposition figures.
Speaking on his political future, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges confronting him had become so severe that he could not confidently say he would be alive by the 2027 election.
“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. 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.
He stressed that his remarks were not intended as a direct accusation against any individual but maintained that his experiences suggested deliberate efforts to obstruct his activities.
“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 added.
Responding to a question on whether he believed he was being personally targeted, Obi said the alleged intimidation extended beyond him to other opposition politicians.
“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 said.
To support his claims, Obi recounted an incident at an airport where he alleged that officials locked his vehicle while leaving others 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?’”
The former governor also alleged that some associates now avoid publicly interacting with him for fear of attracting attention from authorities.
“I see people I know at the airport; they will not greet me because they are scared of what might happen if they do,” he said.
He further claimed that some supporters had asked him not to attend family celebrations to avoid unwanted scrutiny.
“I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don’t come,’” Obi said.
The Federal Government has yet to respond to the allegations.
