The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would work with opposition parties and involve them in matters of national importance if elected president in the 2027 election.
Obi made this known on Thursday during an interview with ARISE NEWS, where he outlined his plans for electoral reform, opposition politics and democratic governance.
The former Anambra State governor said his administration would not harass opposition parties, insisting that all political groups had a role to play in building a stable country.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” Obi said.
“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.
“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.”
He said the same principle would apply when he travels outside Nigeria, explaining that opposition politicians would be involved in important government decisions.
“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important,” he said.
“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country.”
Obi also pledged to take a hard line against electoral malpractice, saying anyone caught rigging an election under his administration would face imprisonment.
“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” he said.
The NDC candidate further promised to remain accessible and physically present in Nigeria, saying Nigerians would not have to search for him while he was president.
“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.
On the political environment ahead of the 2027 election, Obi criticised restrictions allegedly placed on campaign activities in some states, arguing that candidates should be allowed to campaign regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.
He cited his experience as Anambra governor, recalling that he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided support for their activities.
Obi recalled giving then-Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola his official vehicle and convoy when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign.
He also said he accompanied former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a campaign for another candidate in the state, despite their political differences.
“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue,” Obi said.
The former governor also rejected claims concerning Anambra State’s debt under his administration, insisting that he did not obtain loans or issue bonds through financial institutions during his eight years in office.
Obi said Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and rose to about $30 million by the time he left in March 2014.
He also claimed that the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds when he left office.
Obi challenged the current state government and other parties questioning his record to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.
On his relationship with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi dismissed suggestions of a dispute between them.
“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” he said.
“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, arguing that the physical presence of the president was important during periods of crisis.
“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation,” he said.
On the reported campaign council of the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement, Obi said he did not authorise the structure and insisted that support groups should not operate as a parallel political organisation.
“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said.
However, Obi expressed openness to discussions with other opposition figures, including negotiations that could involve a presidential candidate stepping aside if such discussions were aimed at strengthening the opposition and democratic process.
“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion,” he said.
He urged opposition parties to focus on securing free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting Nigerians.
“What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians,” Obi said.
