Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticized Nigeria’s political system, claiming that politicians accused of corruption often appear to be cleared of wrongdoing once they defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi made the remark during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme that aired on Sunday night, July 26, where he also argued that Nigeria’s political parties lack clear ideologies.
According to him, the country’s politics has become driven by personal interests rather than principles.
“For me, there is no political party in Nigeria Today that has an ideology. There is none. Otherwise, the ideology of the APC would be that if you are corrupt and you move to the APC, you are no longer corrupt,” he said.
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The former Anambra State governor maintained that what Nigeria needs are competent and committed leaders with integrity and compassion, rather than politicians who change parties for personal gain.
He also accused the ruling party of weakening opposition parties, alleging that the crises affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and previously the Labour Party (LP) were not accidental.
“The president said it, and it is happening. When opposition parties are having problems, that is his wish. Because of it, they are destroying the judiciary,” Obi alleged.
He said that, if elected president, he would protect opposition parties and ensure they operate freely without interference from the government or regulatory agencies.
Obi also dismissed claims that endorsements from state governors would guarantee President Bola Tinubu victory in the 2027 presidential election.
He argued that governors’ support does not always reflect the views of the people in their states.