A social media user, Sistaliano, posted a claim that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said he cannot defeat President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2027 presidential election. The post included a 1.47-minute video of Obi addressing a town hall of Nigerian diaspora supporters in Manchester, United Kingdom, on October 18, 2026. The post garnered over 168,000 views, 1,100 likes, 485 comments, and 504 reposts.
The Dubawa fact-checking organization decided to verify the claim because it could mislead voters and shape public perception ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Dubawa transcribed the video and found that Obi did not make the alleged statement. In the video, Obi does not mention Tinubu or say he cannot win the 2027 presidential election. He also does not refer to quitting the race or being persuaded by young supporters to contest.
Instead, Obi appealed to supporters and urged them to choose leaders with a record of public service. He said, "I need you, I need you, that's why I am having lunch with you today. This lunch is for you to say, hey, wait a minute. This man came, and what he said is the reality of our problem." Obi emphasized the need for leaders who have proven themselves and are less corrupt.
Dubawa also reviewed a longer, one-hour-and-29-minute recording of the meeting and found that Obi did not make the alleged statement. Rather, he spoke about campaigning for the 2027 presidential election while taking more time to listen to Nigerians. He said he remained involved in politics because he believed he had no alternative but to try to help change Nigeria.
Obi urged Nigerians to vote in the election, saying only Nigerians could solve the country's problems. He also rejected the narrative that Lagos is a no-man's land, comparing it with Manchester, where people from different backgrounds can live freely without the city being considered a no-man's land. Obi emphasized the need for Nigerians to take action to change the country.
In a post on his official X page, Obi said he discussed how corruption and leadership failures had hindered Nigeria's development. He urged Nigerians to treat the 2027 general election as a matter of national survival. His account of the meeting did not support the claim that he said he could not defeat Tinubu or that he was contesting only because young supporters persuaded him.
The claim that Peter Obi said he could not defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election is false. The video accompanying the claim does not contain the alleged statement, and Obi's subsequent account of the meeting makes no such admission. This false claim could have significant implications for the 2027 election and the perception of Peter Obi's candidacy.
Key points
- The claim that Peter Obi said he cannot defeat Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election is false.
- The video accompanying the claim does not contain the alleged statement.
- Obi's account of the meeting supports his continued commitment to the 2027 presidential election.
