The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described himself as a tool being used to stand for Nigerians.

Obi noted that, as a tool, he would not lose the 2027 presidential election because the poll is between Nigerians and the government in power.

He disclosed this in an interview contained in a viral video circulating on social media.

The former governor of Anambra State said: “I will not lose because the election is now between the people and the Nigerian government. I believe that people have suffered enough.

“This election is not about me telling the people what to do because it’s the people who would either win or lose against the government. So, whatever they decide to do, I don’t know because I’m not controlling them. Even if they have to go to court, it is the people suing the government. So, this election is between the people and the government.

“I’m only being used as a tool to stand for the people. If I win, one thing I must bring back is to ensure the rule of law; we must have law and order.”

Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala has accused Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), of building what he described as a movement of “political extremists,” alleging that the former Anambra State governor has failed to take responsibility for the actions of some of his supporters.

Bwala made the remarks during an interview on TVC’s Politics on Sunday while responding to questions about his repeated criticism of Obi.

Rejecting claims that he was fixated on the presidential candidate, Bwala said he only responds after Obi’s supporters make comments that prompt media organisations to seek his reaction.

“Every time, his people are the first to talk, the media houses will ask us to react. But the narrative peddled by the media is as if we wake up from sleep and we are looking for Peter Obi,” he said.

He added that Obi posed no political threat to President Bola Tinubu.

“Obi is inconsequential… Peter Obi is not a match to Asiwaju. All the governors that have governed in Lagos have all done better than Peter Obi. So, Peter Obi is not a match,” Bwala said.

The presidential aide, however, argued that teh former governor of Anambra State, had introduced a dangerous dimension to Nigerian politics.

“Peter Obi introduced into our politics a very dangerous phenomenon. He is building a movement that will be no far different from bandits,” he said, alleging that some supporters recently circulated false reports of his death.

Asked to clarify his comparison between Obidients and bandits, Bwala said he was referring to political extremism.

“They are political extremists,” he stated.

To support his argument, Bwala cited an incident involving an Obidient member, who was criticised online after meeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.

“These people wanted to eat him alive. When he called their bluff, Peter Obi flew from Lagos and went and met him. Do you know these people were online abusing him? But when Peter Obi went to meet him, he said it is the opposition abusing him,” Bwala alleged.

He further accused Obi of consistently distancing himself from the conduct of his supporters.

“He has never accepted the responsibility of the conduct of his people. He has always said it is the opposition,” Bwala said.

The Director of News at Arise Television, Sumner Sambo, says the insistence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2027 general elections despite zoning convention will deepen Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Sambo made this statement on Monday on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’.

According to him, the constitution is clear that any qualified Nigerian can contest for the Office of the President.

“The rotational practice we have had is just an informal arrangement. By putting himself forward as the leading northern candidate at a time when it is supposed to be the South’s turn, he will enrich our constitutional democracy.

“Meritocracy must remain the focus of elections. This zoning convention has made many politicians complacent, content to simply wait for their turn.

“So the rotational presidency that we have had is just a backdoor channel, and we have not even practiced it the way Alex Ekweme report through the 1995 conference had wanted.

“What they had wanted was for us to rotate it across the six geopolitical zones. But even in that report, don’t forget, Alex Ekweme said that once it goes round the six geopolitical zone, we should abolish it, and then get back to meritocracy.

“But we haven’t practiced it the way Sani Abacha had wanted it to to be done. So at this point in time, it still boils down to the political reforms that we need in the country,” he said.