The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has said that internal disagreements within political parties are normal and should not be mistaken for crisis.
Obi spoke on Tuesday during an interview aired by Nevon Media, where he addressed concerns about tensions within his party and wider political reactions to opposition criticisms.

He said every political organisation experiences disagreements from time to time, but such issues are usually resolved internally.

“In every organisation, you will have disagreements or minor issues. What matters is how they are handled. Most of the time, they are resolved and the party moves on,” he said.

Obi also reacted to concerns raised by some members of the party, including Aisha Yusuf, noting that differences of opinion and expressions of dissatisfaction are part of political engagement and do not necessarily indicate a breakdown in structure.

On the issue of legal disputes and public allegations involving chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, Obi said the matter was triggered by public claims that could not be ignored.

He explained that such situations arise when individuals make statements that may require legal clarification.

He stressed that accountability and evidence are important in political communication.

Obi maintained that leaders should be open to scrutiny and allow the public to ask questions about their conduct.

“As leaders, we must be open to scrutiny so the public can understand who we are and what we stand for,” he said.

He added that future leaders must be selected based on integrity, competence, and character, not just political loyalty.

“It is important that those who will lead us must be people of character, integrity, competence, and proper qualification,” he said.

Obi further noted that accountability in politics also means allowing past and present actions of leaders to be examined where necessary in the interest of the public.

Last week, Peter Obi filed a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit against Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged damaging remarks made during a televised interview.

Okonkwo had repeatedly criticised Obi’s political decisions, including his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition and his move to the newly formed NDC.

In one interview, he also described Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as “political conmen” for leaving the coalition after previously supporting it.

Court documents show the suit is based on comments allegedly made on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8, 2026, where Okonkwo was said to have accused Obi of corruption and questionable political dealings.

The allegations include claims of bribery involving N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants, manipulation of party primaries, and misconduct in candidate selection processes.

Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association Electoral Committee, Monday Ubani, says the judiciary cannot dictate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Featuring in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Day Break’, Ubani said INEC is clearly independent under the Nigerian constitution

His remark followed the order given by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court to INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other political parties.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.

Reacting, Ubani said, “Justice Lifu on Monday ordered INEC in its judgment to deregister those political parties.

“INEC filed a counter affidavit after taking the administrative action the constitution has given them powers to, and have found out those parties are not in breach.

“But the court was ready to substitute its own opinion over that of the body with the power to do so.”

The immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that he has no plan to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adelabu made this declaration via a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Femi Awogboro.

The statement was made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.

DAILY POST gathered that a rumour surfaced online on Tuesday that Adelabu had concluded plans to dump the APC.

It was stated in the rumour that the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intended to join the SDP.

But Adelabu, in his reaction, described the rumour as false and baseless.

He said that the rumour was fabricated to mislead members of the public.

Adelabu, in the statement, maintained that he is a committed member of the APC.

He, however, insisted that no amount of falsehood can deter him from the party.

“Those behind this rumour should understand that Chief Adelabu remains a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and no amount of falsehood, propaganda, wishful thinking, or political mischief can alter that reality.

“The attempt to link Chief Adelabu with a non-existent defection agenda is therefore highly disrespectful and should be condemned by all well-meaning members of the public. It is nothing more than a calculated effort to generate media attention and create an artificial political trend where none exists.”