By Dennis Okechukwu
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has expressed fears for his safety, saying there is a possibility he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election because of what he described as persistent harassment and intimidation.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo. A clip of the interview was shared on X on Wednesday.
Responding to a question on whether he could be prevented from contesting the 2027 election, Obi said the concern went beyond his eligibility.
“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you,” he said.
He alleged that the government was deliberately frustrating his activities and, if given the opportunity, could prevent him from continuing his political engagement.
“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 governor of Anambra State, however, said he was not making a direct accusation but insisted that he experienced what he described as constant obstruction.
“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.
Asked whether he believed the actions were specifically directed at him, Obi claimed the alleged intimidation extended to other opposition figures.
“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.
Obi cited an incident at an airport where he alleged that officials immobilised his vehicle while allowing others parked in the same area to remain 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?'”
He also claimed that some acquaintances now avoided greeting him in public for fear of attracting unwanted attention.
“And I see people I know at the airport, they will not greet me because they are fearing that if they greet me…”
According to Obi, some supporters have even advised him against attending family celebrations.
“And I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is getting married, but please don’t come,'” he said.