Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Fresh political tensions are building ahead of the 2027 general elections following allegations by the media office of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that there is a coordinated attempt to prevent him from appearing on the ballot.
The claim, made by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), accuses elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating political and legal manoeuvres aimed at undermining Obi’s eligibility for the January 2027 presidential poll.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, the group alleged that the strategy has been unfolding since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, primarily through internal disruptions within the Labour Party.
According to the statement, the prolonged leadership crisis in the party is part of a broader effort to weaken Obi’s political base and limit his chances of securing a viable platform.
“The ongoing instability within the Labour Party is not coincidental but a deliberate attempt to deny Obi a foothold ahead of the 2027 election,” the statement said.
The group further alleged judicial interference, claiming that court actions have, at critical moments, hindered attempts to stabilise the party’s leadership structure.
It also linked recent political developments to Obi’s reported alignment with a coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggesting that subsequent legal and regulatory actions were targeted at weakening the coalition.
Among the concerns raised were alleged moves to amend the Electoral Act and what the group described as the “reinterpretation” of an Appeal Court ruling by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which it claimed could jeopardise the standing of the ADC and its aspirants.
The POMR warned that such developments, if unchecked, could erode democratic competition and reduce the credibility of the electoral process.
“They are attempting to create an illusion of democratic choice while narrowing the political space,” the statement added.
The group called on electoral authorities, the judiciary, and other stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC and INEC had yet to respond to the allegations.
Political analysts say the claims, though unverified, reflect rising anxieties within opposition circles over the integrity of the electoral process as the 2027 elections approach.
