No One Can Control the South East Through Political Defections — Peter Obi
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that the defection of some South East governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would enable the party to capture the region in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Obi reacted to the recent wave of defections among governors and lawmakers from the South East to the APC, saying such moves do not guarantee electoral success.
He emphasized that Nigeria operates under a democratic system, not military rule, and as such, no state can be “captured.”
According to him, “The people will ultimately decide where to go. No governor, senator, or party can claim ownership of any state simply because of political defections.”
Speaking specifically on the defection of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and APC’s alleged move to capture the South-East for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Obi said
“Peter Mbah is a good friend of mine. And I believe that as governor, he must have taken his decision based on his own political views and calculations.
As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military time when you capture people. You are a leader. You tend to do the right things for them to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere.
The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it.”
Speaking on the planned protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu by political activist Omoyele Sowore scheduled to hold on October 20, the former Anambra State Governor said
“I’ve always been consistent on Nnamdi Kanu’s situation. There was no need for his arrest in the first place. And I’ve always said that for me, I will consult, negotiate and discuss with anybody who is agitating. I said it clearly and I remain there.
I thank those who are actually trying to do or say what we’ve been saying for a long time. Go and check what I’ve said before 2020, 2022 and even 2024. And now that it has gone to court, the rules should be followed. Not just for Nnamdi Kanu, but for all agitators across the nation. Let’s dialogue with them.
There’s nothing wrong with anybody agitating or saying let’s dialogue with them. And whatever we do with them, let’s follow the rules. So I thank the organisers and those who are involved.”
