2027: Rufai Oseni Alleges Plot to Stop Peter Obi From Contesting Election

2027: Rufai Oseni Alleges Plot to Stop Peter Obi From Contesting Election

Popular Arise Television broadcaster Rufai Oseni has raised concerns over what he described as a coordinated political effort to prevent former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi from contesting the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an episode of The Morning Show on Arise TV, Oseni alleged that political actors across major parties are increasingly viewing Obi as a key obstacle to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, leading to strategic efforts aimed at limiting his political pathway.

He claimed that internal political analyses within several parties suggest Obi remains one of the few opposition figures with strong national appeal capable of mounting a serious challenge in 2027. According to him, this has triggered what he described as efforts to ensure Obi is either weakened politically or kept off the ballot.

Oseni argued that political mapping exercises carried out by major parties—including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition platforms such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—consistently identify Obi as a major electoral threat due to his 2023 presidential performance and growing support base.

READ ALSO:

• UNICROSS Students Protest in Calabar Over Death of 3 Students, Driver
• Iran Threatens US Forces Over Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Escort Plan
• Three Arrested Over Fake Divorce Story About Tony Elumelu – UBA

He further suggested that ongoing opposition realignments, including the emergence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a new political platform, are being shaped by attempts to either accommodate or restrict Obi’s influence ahead of the next election cycle.

According to him, internal crises witnessed in some opposition structures were not accidental but part of broader political manoeuvring designed to weaken potential platforms that could be used by Obi and his allies.

“The idea here is Peter Obi not being on the ballot. That’s the problem. All the forces will do everything to ensure Obi doesn’t get on the ballot,” Oseni said during the broadcast, adding that legal and political challenges could be used to frustrate new party formations.

He also warned that the emerging NDC could face litigation battles, registration disputes, and internal sabotage as political tensions intensify ahead of 2027.

Oseni maintained that his comments were based on political analysis and consultations with individuals familiar with electoral strategy, insisting that Obi remains the most significant opposition figure capable of influencing the outcome of the next presidential election.

In his words, “The only person that can give President Tinubu some push in this election is Obi. The first strategy is to ensure Obi doesn’t get on the ballot.”

Meanwhile, political realignments continue to shape the opposition landscape, with reports indicating that Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been linked to the emerging Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside other political stakeholders.

Party officials were said to have welcomed key figures at the NDC national headquarters in Abuja, signalling early moves to consolidate a new political structure ahead of 2027.

Peter Obi has not issued a direct response to the latest claims, but has consistently maintained that his political agenda is focused on governance reforms, economic recovery, and building a more accountable political system.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, analysts say Nigeria’s political space is becoming increasingly competitive, with coalition building, party restructuring, and legal disputes expected to dominate the coming months.

2027: Rufai Oseni Alleges Plot to Stop Peter Obi From Contesting Election