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Peter Obi Alleges Former INEC Chairman Worked for Opposition, Says 2023 Lessons Will Shape 2027
Peter Obi Alleges Former INEC Chairman Worked for Opposition, Says 2023 Lessons Will Shape 2027
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working for the opposition during the 2023 general elections, insisting that he and his supporters will not repeat what he described as the mistakes of the past.
Obi made the allegation during an exclusive interview with Arise TV, where he reflected on the 2023 presidential election and discussed preparations for the next electoral cycle.
According to the former Anambra State governor, he and his team trusted INEC too much in 2023, believing assurances from the electoral commission that the election would be conducted properly.
He said the experience had taught him an important lesson, stressing that this time around, he would only have confidence in the electoral process if the right procedures were followed and stakeholders took steps to ensure transparency themselves.
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“In 2023, we took things for granted, we believed INEC. We believed that what they were saying, they will do. The Chairman then was busy travelling all over the world, telling everyone that he and his team were prepared to do the right thing, when actually he was working for the opposition.
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“This time we will only trust them by doing the right things ourselves.”
During the interview, the presenter, Ojy, challenged Obi to provide evidence for his allegation that the former INEC Chairman had worked for the opposition.
When asked whether he had proof, Obi responded affirmatively, although he did not provide specific documents or evidence during the exchange.
“Ojy: Do you have proof that the Chairman was working for the opposition?
“Obi: This time or the last time?
“Ojy: No, the last time?
“Obi: Of course, Yes
“Ojy: What’s your proof?
“Obi: Everybody knows. I don’t need to…..Even he himself, he knows. If you meet him, even in his heart, he knows.”
Obi was also asked whether he had personally confronted or met the former electoral chief over the allegation.
He said he had not and indicated that he was more interested in looking ahead than revisiting the events of 2023.
“Ojy: Have you met him?
“Obi: No, I don’t want to. That’s in the past. Those who dwell on yesterday and today will miss tomorrow. For me, iIt’s gone, It’s finished.”
The NDC presidential candidate also maintained that he was convinced he had won the 2023 presidential election, despite the official results placing him third behind Atiku Abubakar and eventual winner Bola Tinubu.
When Ojy reminded him that there were significant vote margins between him and Atiku, Obi dismissed the importance of the officially declared figures, arguing that election officials themselves knew that the process had not reflected what he believed to be the true outcome.
“Ojy In 2023, you were sure you won the election….
“Obi: Exactly
“Ojy: But there were some margins between you and second-placed Atiku Abubakar?
“Obi: Forget about the margins that I read. Those who conducted the elections, the officials, know that they did the wrong thing.”
Obi’s comments come as political parties and their candidates increasingly turn their attention to the 2027 general elections, with the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process expected to remain a major issue in the political debate.
His remarks also signal a more cautious approach to INEC, as he argues that political actors and voters must go beyond relying on assurances from electoral authorities and instead demand verifiable processes capable of guaranteeing confidence in election results.
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