A new political tension has emerged after Peter Obi alleged that the Federal Government is making efforts to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
His remarks came only hours after a Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The development has fueled fresh debate over Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general election.
While addressing students during a visit to Madonna University in Anambra State, Obi maintained that he remains confident despite what he described as attempts to prevent his participation in the next presidential race.
“Today, the Federal Government is doing everything possible to stop me from becoming a candidate in this 2027 election. I can tell you for a fact, they won’t win,” Obi declared.
Furthermore, they came shortly after the court delivered a ruling that overturned its previous order directing INEC to register the NDC.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja ruled that the court’s earlier judgment, delivered on December 10, 2025, had affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the original case despite claiming ownership of the political party logo used in obtaining the judgment.
Consequently, the court nullified all actions taken based on the earlier decision.
However, the National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, insisted that the ruling does not amount to the deregistration of the party.
According to him, the legal dispute remains far from over.
Enekweizu argued that the court did not order the dissolution of the NDC and maintained that the party would not undergo another full hearing on the matter.
He also suggested that political interests may be influencing the controversy.
According to the party official, some individuals fear facing Obi at the polls.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would resist what he described as acts of political intimidation.
Meanwhile, legal experts say the latest judgment mainly addresses procedural issues surrounding the registration process rather than determining the political future of any individual.
Nevertheless, the decision has added another layer of uncertainty to preparations for the 2027 elections.
INEC has yet to issue a fresh statement regarding the implications of the court’s latest ruling.
For now, Obi has remained firm in his position, insisting that no amount of political pressure will stop his ambition.
