I won’t focus on religion, ethnicity in my 2027 presidential election campaign: Obi
Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has promised Nigerians that his campaign will not be based on ethnicity and religion.
In the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Mr Obi mustered Christian leaders to ramp up a sectarian appeal to push him over the line, as a Peoples Gazette exclusive report on a leaked conversation revealed.
Mr Obi, 61, called Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) on the eve of the election and implored him to pass messages to Christians across the South-West—and also to those in central states like Kwara, Kogi and Niger.
“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara,” Mr Obi said in the audio obtained by The Gazette. “This is a religious war.”
“I believe that, I believe that, I believe that,” Mr Oyedepo said.
“Like I keep saying: if this works, you people will never regret the support,” Mr Obi said with candour, adding that Christians in places like Kogi, Kwara and Niger have been difficult to penetrate.
“We look forward to God’s intervention,” Mr Oyedepo said, promising to circulate more messages to Christians on Mr Obi’s behalf.
However, in his second bid to become the president of Africa’s most populous nation, Mr Obi, during a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra, on Friday, condemned such an approach and urged Nigerians to do the same as he kicked off his campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Nigerians must reject and disregard any campaigns driven by propaganda, ethnicity and religion,” the politician said.
Mr Obi, who said the forthcoming elections must be guarded by competence, capacity, character and compassion, added, “Our campaigns will focus on urgent concerns of Nigeria and not on ethnicity or religion.
“As my team and I travel across the country, we listen to Nigerians, understand their needs and concerns and assure them that we have the competence, character and compassion to lead and reset Nigeria for the benefit of all.”
The NDC chieftain stressed the need for leaders who will listen to the people’s yearnings, transform the country, and build growth that serves all.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
ISIS would have taken over Nigeria if not for Tinubu, presidency spokesman says
“Were it not for the various interventions of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria would have become a sorry state security-wise,” the presidential aide said.
Health
Yobe: Authorities issue alert as conjunctivitis reaches epidemic level in Potiskum
Conjunctivitis has reached epidemic proportions in Potiskum and surrounding communities, prompting health authorities to alert residents.
Politics
Delta: INEC fixes September 19 for Udu constituency by-election
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed September 19 for the by-election into the Udu Constituency of the Delta House of Assembly.
Economy
Nigeria implementing policies to reduce methane emissions from waste: FG
The federal government is implementing policies to reduce methane emissions from dumpsites and promote sustainable waste management practices across the country.
Economy
Subsidy removal made life difficult for Nigerians, Tinubu used money to fund governors’ opulent lifestyle: Atiku
“That is not reform. It is economic arson followed by propaganda about the ashes,” Phrank Shaibu said of President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
Politics
I won’t focus on religion, ethnicity in my 2027 presidential election campaign: Obi
“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara,” Mr Obi said in 2023. “This is a religious war.”
