The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration view Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as the most significant threat to their hold on power ahead of the 2027 general election.
CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ameh, said in an interview on Monday that the government is allegedly focused on preventing Obi from contesting, citing extensive research, private consultations, and data collected across the country.
“This is not speculation. Our findings show that the government is more concerned about Peter Obi than any other candidate expected to run in 2027,” Ameh said.
He pointed to the frequent online attacks on Obi by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga as evidence that the administration is closely monitoring the Labour Party candidate.
According to Ameh, other major politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, have received far less attention from government-aligned voices.
“Go and count how often Bayo Onanuga posts about Peter Obi. It is clear that Obi is seen as the only contender capable of disrupting the ruling party’s plans,” Ameh said.
Ameh also highlighted Obi’s strong performance in the 2023 general election, noting that he secured significant votes in several states and even won the Federal Capital Territory, despite the influence of the federal government.
“It took Peter Obi to gather nearly one million votes, which were later reduced to 500,000. He even defeated APC in the FCT, the seat of power. That performance explains why the administration is now so concerned,” he added.
The CUPP official warned that the alleged government efforts to weaken Obi’s chances indicate mounting political tension as the 2027 election approaches.
