NDC urges the Federal Government to strengthen Peter Obi’s security, warning it will be held responsible if anything happens to the 2027 presidential hopeful.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to strengthen security around its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warning that the authorities would be held accountable if anything happened to the former Anambra State governor.
The party’s position comes after Obi recently expressed fears about his personal safety while discussing his political future.
During an interview on With Chude, the former presidential candidate claimed he was facing increasing pressure and suggested he could not guarantee that he would still be alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
Obi alleged that his business interests and personal activities were being deliberately frustrated, adding that opposition politicians in the country face persistent intimidation and harassment.
His comments sparked widespread political debate, drawing reactions from supporters, critics and government officials.
Reacting to those remarks, the NDC said Obi’s concerns should not be dismissed as mere political rhetoric.
Instead, the party argued that his statements deserved serious attention because of his position as one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures.
Speaking on behalf of the party, National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalam said the NDC was deeply disturbed by Obi’s comments and insisted that protecting the lives of political leaders is a constitutional responsibility of the government.
According to Abdulsalam, Peter Obi has contested the presidency twice and commands significant political support across the country.
He said someone with such national prominence should receive adequate security protection regardless of which political party controls the Federal Government.
The party spokesman alleged that Obi was not enjoying the level of security expected for a politician of his status. He claimed the situation creates the impression that the authorities are not giving sufficient attention to the safety of the opposition leader.
Read also: Tinubu government responds to Peter Obi’s claim he may not survive until 2027
Abdulsalam maintained that threats against politicians should never be ignored, especially as political activities gradually intensify ahead of another general election.
He warned that opposition figures could become targets of attacks from individuals or groups seeking to create fear or instability during the campaign period.
“We, as a party, will hold the Federal Government responsible if anything happens to him,” Abdulsalam said while reiterating the party’s position on Obi’s security.
He further argued that providing adequate security for opposition candidates should not be viewed as a political favour but as an obligation of every democratic government committed to free and fair elections.
To support his argument, Abdulsalam pointed to events during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
He recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari, then the presidential candidate of the opposition, continued to receive government security while campaigning against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to him, the Jonathan administration ensured Buhari remained adequately protected despite intense political competition, demonstrating that national security should rise above partisan interests.
The NDC spokesperson questioned why Obi, who is widely expected to play a major role in the 2027 presidential race, was allegedly not receiving a comparable level of protection.
Abdulsalam also referred to an alleged attack on Obi’s convoy during a visit to Edo State, describing the incident as another reminder of the security challenges confronting opposition politicians.
He argued that such developments should encourage security agencies to provide stronger protection rather than reduce it.
The party therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to guarantee the safety of Obi, his eventual running mate and every other presidential candidate expected to contest the 2027 election.
According to the NDC, protecting all political contestants is essential to preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and ensuring that campaigns are conducted peacefully without intimidation or fear.
The party added that equal security protection for candidates, irrespective of political affiliation, would strengthen public trust in the electoral system and promote a level playing field ahead of the next general election.
The NDC also urged security agencies to remain professional and impartial in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that every Nigerian seeking elective office deserves protection under the law.
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls, the party maintained that safeguarding the lives of candidates and political stakeholders will be crucial to ensuring a peaceful, credible and democratic electoral process.
About The Author
