A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the South-East, Dr. George Agbakahi has described allegations by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that there are plans to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election as baseless, unfortunate and politically motivated.

Agbakahi, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, weekend, argued that claims of executive interference in the electoral process should be backed by credible and verifiable evidence rather than speculation or political rhetoric.

Reacting to Obi’s allegations that there are plots to block his presidential ambition, Agbakahi said there was no publicly available evidence linking the Federal Government or the Presidency to any scheme aimed at preventing any qualified opposition figure from participating in the 2027 election.

According to him, “legal issues surrounding the registration status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, are matters currently before the courts and stem from disputes involving political parties rather than actions initiated by the Federal Government.”

He maintained that “Nigeria’s constitutional framework guarantees the independence of the judiciary and provides avenues for litigants dissatisfied with court decisions to seek redress through the appellate process.”

Agbakahi also emphasized the autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that the commission is constitutionally empowered to regulate political parties and conduct elections without interference.

He stated that all political parties are expected to comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, stressing that legal and regulatory scrutiny of political organizations is a normal feature of democratic governance and should not automatically be interpreted as political persecution.

The APC chieftain further argued that presidential aspirants should demonstrate strategic foresight, institutional preparedness, and organizational competence in managing their political platforms.

According to him, ensuring the legal stability, organizational strength, and regulatory compliance of a political party falls within the responsibilities of political leaders and their organizations rather than the Federal Government.

Agbakahi alleged that Obi’s claims were an attempt to portray routine legal and regulatory developments as evidence of a coordinated campaign against him, adding that such narratives could divert attention from internal challenges within his political movement.

Drawing parallels with the 2023 presidential election, he noted that Obi’s campaign attracted significant support through calls for political change, but pointed out that the election outcome, which produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president, was determined through constitutional electoral processes and subsequently upheld by the courts.

He urged Nigerians to critically examine claims of political victimization and demand evidence before accepting such assertions.

Agbakahi also defended President Tinubu’s political credentials, describing him as a seasoned politician who built a formidable national political structure through years of coalition-building, party organization, and electoral success.

He argued that suggestions that the president would need to manipulate judicial processes to eliminate opponents underestimate both Tinubu’s political experience and the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The APC stalwart maintained that elections in Nigeria are won through organization, voter mobilization, persuasion, and coalition-building rather than what he described as conspiracy theories.

He further stated that the Federal Government remains focused on governance, citing ongoing efforts in economic reforms, security enhancement, infrastructure development, and institutional reforms.

Agbakahi reiterated that the 2027 presidential election remains open to all qualified candidates who meet constitutional and legal requirements.

He concluded by urging political actors to address legal disputes through the courts, organizational weaknesses through reforms, and electoral contests through policies and ideas presented to the electorate.

According to him, democracy is strengthened when political leaders demonstrate preparedness, resilience, and institutional competence rather than resorting to unsubstantiated allegations of persecution.

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would ultimately determine the country’s next leader through the ballot box, insisting that electoral victories are secured through democratic processes rather than political narratives.