Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, has downplayed predictions that Nigeria could become a one-party state, claiming that no political party can “capture” any region simply because a governor defected to it.
Obi announced this in Abuja in response to the recent defections of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The former Anambra State governor, who has constantly advocated for issue-based politics, said the notion that a state can be “captured” by a political party through the defection of its leader is rooted in Nigeria’s military history.
“The people will decide where to go, not governors or senators. No party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor,” 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.”
Obi refuted the notion that the South-East could be “captured” politically, insisting that leadership in a democracy is about persuasion, not coercion.
“As for the alleged plot to capture the Southeast, 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.”
He also advised public leaders to prioritize excellent administration and programs that directly enhance residents’ lives, noting that no amount of political realignment can guarantee people’s loyalty in the absence of performance.
“The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it,” he added.
Obi’s remarks came amid rising political tensions following a series of defections by opposition governors and lawmakers to the APC, which critics fear may shift the country toward one-party dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.
