The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has called on Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition if it is established that his administration left liabilities in Anambra State. The council's spokesman, Dele Alake, stated that financial records of Anambra State have established the existence of liabilities linked to Obi's administration. Alake insisted that Obi should honour his earlier pledge to withdraw from the presidential race if financial records prove that his administration left behind outstanding liabilities.
The APC council's statement was issued on Friday, 10 October 2026, and did not identify specific liabilities allegedly left by Obi's administration or provide details of the financial records cited to substantiate the claim. The challenge comes as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations and alignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with Obi remaining a prominent figure in discussions about the next presidential contest.
The APC council also criticised Obi over his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, challenging him to provide evidence to support the assertion. Alake's reaction followed a recent interview Obi granted the BBC, during which the former governor reportedly said: "I don't like going back to the past. I won the last election. There's no evidence, but I won the election. Everything is not based on evidence."
Faulting Obi's remark, Alake said his insistence that he won the election, despite acknowledging that he had no evidence to support the claim, contradicted official records of the poll. Alake described Obi's stance as a "deep and troubling disconnection from reality and absolute disregard for facts and truth." The APC council maintained that President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, citing the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and subsequent judicial decisions affirming the result.
Obi finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate, Atiku Abubakar. He has remained a prominent opposition figure amid continuing political debate over the election outcome and the country's political direction ahead of 2027. The latest exchange highlights the growing contest between the ruling party and opposition figures over political credibility, past records in public office and competing claims ahead of the presidential poll.
The APC council's call on Obi to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition is based on his earlier pledge to exit the race if his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra State. The council's spokesman, Dele Alake, stressed that Obi should honour his pledge and act honourably. The development has sparked reactions from various quarters, with many Nigerians eager to see how the situation unfolds.
As the 2027 general election approaches, the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, with various stakeholders positioning themselves for the contest. The APC council's challenge to Obi is seen as a significant development in the lead-up to the election, and many are watching to see how Obi responds to the allegations and the challenge to his presidential ambition.
Key points
- The APC Presidential Campaign Council has challenged Peter Obi to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition over alleged liabilities in Anambra State.
- Obi's administration has been accused of leaving behind outstanding liabilities in Anambra State.
- The APC council maintained that President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, citing INEC's declaration and judicial affirmation.
