By Polycarp Ifeanyi
Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ben Chudi Uzuegbu, has said that Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate Peter Obi has a strong chance of winning the 2027 presidential election if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts a credible and transparent poll.
Chief Uzuegbu made the statement in his office while responding to questions from journalists on the political outlook ahead of 2027.
“If Nigerians are allowed to vote freely according to their conscience, Peter Obi has a great chance of emerging winner,” he said.
The SAN noted that Obi’s recent political alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso strengthens his prospects, especially following reports that Obi told northern stakeholders he would serve only one term if elected.
“Obi’s strategy is superb. The alliance and the one-term pledge are deliberate moves to build national consensus,” Uzuegbu stated.
However, he expressed concern about INEC’s readiness, saying he does not see preparations for 2027 being different from the 2023 elections.
“My worry is that I don’t see the system preparing for 2027 differently from 2023. I doubt if INEC will conduct a free and fair election,” he said.
He warned that electoral manipulation remains a threat despite Nigerians’ determination to vote according to their wishes.
Uzuegbu said citizens are “hungry and tired of maladministration,” and that insecurity continues to overwhelm the country. According to him, the mood in the country favors a change in leadership.
Dismissing claims that the Obidient movement would abandon Obi in 2027, the lawyer said the group remains firmly behind him.
“The Obidient group will support him. The only exceptions are some South East governors and political office holders, but they are in the minority,” he added.
Reacts to Kenneth Okonkwo’s Allegations
Reacting to recent allegations by former Obi aide Kenneth Okonkwo, Uzuegbu said Okonkwo has no evidence to back his claims.
“Kenneth Okonkwo has put himself in a quandary. All he has been saying — ‘Obi did this, Obi did that’ — he has no single evidence. In fact, it is Obi who could supply evidence to nail him,” he said.
“When Obi was Governor of Anambra State, Kenneth Okonkwo was acting in movies and living in a bandaged state somewhere. Who is Kenneth Okonkwo to bring evidence against Obi?”
Uzuegbu argued that most of Okonkwo’s allegations are already in the public domain and amount to defamation.
“We know what is false and what is true. When you make false allegations to defame someone, the court will rule on it and ask you to pay substantial damages,” he warned.
He added that Okonkwo initially praised Obi the same way he praised former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, “thinking Obi would give him money.”
