The National Coordinator of the Take Back Nigeria Initiative (TBNI), Take Back Nigeria Initiative, Abumchukwu Okoye, has cautioned that former presidential candidate Peter Obi could be politically leveraged by certain groups as the 2027 general elections approach.
Speaking in an interview with The Sun on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Okoye alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and similar coalitions may be positioning Obi as a means of attracting public support rather than genuinely backing his presidential ambition.
According to him, some political actors are less focused on nation-building and more interested in gaining power, suggesting that Obi is being used as a “bait” to influence voters across the country.
Okoye also questioned the likelihood of regional support for an Igbo presidency, expressing doubts about whether voters in the North would fully rally behind an Igbo candidate. He argued that such uncertainties could affect coalition strategies built around Obi’s popularity.
He further warned that Obi himself might not realize the extent to which he is being used within political arrangements until critical moments in the electoral process. In his view, politicians often form alliances that ultimately serve their own interests rather than those of the public or the candidate at the center of attention.
Okoye maintained that Nigeria’s core political challenge is not primarily about electoral systems or technology, but rather weak opposition structures and strategic maneuvering among political groups. He noted that popular figures are sometimes adopted by coalitions to gain visibility without receiving full commitment to their ambitions.
Urging voters to be more discerning, he encouraged Nigerians to look beyond political appearances and carefully evaluate the intentions behind alliances and endorsements. He also emphasized that regional distrust could play a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly in relation to support for candidates from different ethnic backgrounds.
“Peter Obi is being used by ADC coalition. How do you trust the North to bring an Igbo man to become President? Peter Obi has been used as bait, used and betrayed and he will not know until the last minute,” Okoye stated.
The comments have added to ongoing political discussions about coalition-building, trust, and zoning dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.
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