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.

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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

JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Makinde-Led Faction Appoints Kabiru Turaki as Interim Chairman

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Monday as the faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde announced the appointment of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as Chairman of its interim National Working Committee (NWC).

The decision was taken during the faction’s 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where leaders also approved a 13-member interim leadership structure to manage the affairs of the group pending further party resolutions.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former cabinet minister, has been mandated to oversee the faction’s administrative and political operations during the ongoing leadership transition within the party.

The latest development comes amid heightened tensions within the PDP following a recent judicial pronouncement by the Supreme Court, which nullified the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November. The ruling effectively voided the emergence of Turaki and other national officers previously elected at the convention, throwing the party’s national leadership structure into further uncertainty.

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In response to the court’s decision, the Makinde-led bloc invoked Section 31 of the PDP Constitution, arguing that it empowers the NEC to take emergency administrative actions where necessary. The faction said the interim committee was formed after securing the support of two-thirds of NEC members aligned with its position.

Party insiders disclosed that the Abuja meeting, which began around 2:00 pm, was attended by several influential stakeholders, including sympathetic state governors, members of the National Assembly caucus, and representatives of the Board of Trustees (BoT) aligned with the Makinde-led bloc.

The faction maintained that the move was necessary to ensure continuity in party administration and prevent a vacuum in leadership following the Supreme Court judgment. It also insisted that the interim structure would serve as a stabilising mechanism until a broader consensus is reached within the party.

However, the development is expected to deepen the ongoing PDP leadership crisis, as rival factions continue to dispute control of the party’s national structure ahead of future political engagements.

Political observers say the situation reflects a broader struggle for control within Nigeria’s main opposition party, with competing blocs attempting to assert authority over its national organs.

Further developments are expected as consultations continue within the PDP over the legality and acceptance of the newly announced interim leadership arrangement.

JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Makinde-Led Faction Appoints Kabiru Turaki as Interim Chairman

2027 Politics: APC Fires Back at Obi Over Party Switches, Ambition

The All Progressives Congress has launched a fresh attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing him as “Nigeria’s inconsolable political drifter” following his latest political movement away from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party accused Obi of “roaming” across political platforms in search of a free presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC said Obi’s political trajectory reflects inconsistency, claiming he has moved from one party to another without building a stable political base. It alleged that the former Anambra State governor has continued to switch political platforms without committing to long-term party development or ideological consolidation.

The party further claimed that Obi “fantasises about becoming president on a platter of gold,” while referencing his past affiliations with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and now the ADC. It maintained that such frequent movements raise questions about his political intentions ahead of the 2027 elections.

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These comments come amid increasing political realignments and coalition discussions involving key opposition figures as parties begin early preparations for the next election cycle. Reports have also linked Obi with former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in discussions around a possible joint arrangement under a proposed political platform.

Earlier on Sunday, Obi confirmed his exit from the ADC, citing “endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division” within the party. He also accused some political actors of creating unnecessary crises within opposition parties, warning that such instability could weaken efforts to build a credible alternative ahead of 2027.

Obi, who formally left the Labour Party for a coalition-backed platform in late 2023, said his focus remains on working with like-minded Nigerians committed to electoral reforms and improved governance.

Obi rose to national prominence during the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, where he gained widespread youth support and strong urban backing under the “Obidient” movement. Prior to that, he served as governor of Anambra State and previously contested within the PDP before joining the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections.

Since losing the presidential election to Bola Tinubu, Obi has remained a central figure in opposition politics and continues to play a key role in ongoing coalition talks and political restructuring ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political analysts say the latest APC remarks reflect rising tension among major political actors as early positioning for 2027 intensifies. They note that coalition building, defections, and party negotiations are likely to dominate Nigeria’s political space in the months ahead.

2027 Politics: APC Fires Back at Obi Over Party Switches, Ambition