Tony Okafor, Ogbaru
The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Victor Afam Ogene, has alleged that recent developments within Nigeria’s political space are part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi.
Ogene made the assertion while addressing journalists in Obeagwe during the Uno Festival, an event marking the end of the planting season in the community.
According to him, what appears on the surface as internal crises within political parties may in fact be orchestrated moves designed to weaken opposition forces, with Obi as the primary target.
He argued that alleged manipulations of electoral laws and interference in party structures were not necessarily directed at any single party, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but were instead aimed at limiting Obi’s political prospects ahead of future elections.
“Democracy thrives on competition and the availability of credible choices,” Ogene said, warning that any effort to narrow political options for voters could erode democratic principles and tilt governance towards authoritarian tendencies.
He called on the judiciary to look beyond narrow legal interpretations and weigh the broader societal consequences of its rulings, particularly in safeguarding fairness and political stability.
The lawmaker cited a sequence of events which, in his view, suggests a coordinated effort against the former Anambra State governor.
He referenced an April 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which effectively ended the tenure of Julius Abure as a party leader, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially indicated it would review the ruling.
However, Ogene said that INEC later issued a definitive position shortly after Obi signalled interest in joining the ADC, months after maintaining silence on the matter.
He further alleged that previously dormant legal disputes resurfaced in the wake of Obi’s political moves, describing the timing as deliberate and suspicious.
Ogene also accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of attempting to consolidate political power without fair electoral competition, arguing that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Despite his concerns, the lawmaker expressed confidence in Obi’s resilience and the determination of his supporters, stating that they would continue to explore available political platforms.
He also alleged attempts to infiltrate opposition parties, but maintained that such efforts would not deter what he described as a growing movement for political change.