Tinubu will beat Obi if he emerges as NDC candidate — Uzodinma

Imo State governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma, has said President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat Peter Obi if he emerges as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.

BusinessDay reports that the NDC on Saturday, at its national convention in Abuja, zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term of four years.

Obi, who recently aligned with the NDC, had pledged to serve only one term of four years if elected in 2027, with a commitment to hand over to the North in 2031.

Speaking briefly with journalists after his screening for the APC senatorial primary scheduled for May 18, Uzodinma dismissed concerns over Obi’s political influence, insisting it would not pose any threat to Tinubu, who has already obtained and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms.

“The problem I have with the media is that you know the truth, yet you always want to dance around it. In a country of 36 states, 31 are sufficiently and transparently members of the APC,” he said.

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“Look at that proportion—31 states are already for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, apart from some states that are partly APC and partly others. If you add it all up, you will know that Nigeria has spoken.

“We are not threatened by anyone. First of all, this party has zoned the presidential ticket to the South, where is their head office?” he asked.

Uzodinma added that his own ambition remains focused on the Senate, saying he intends to represent his constituents effectively.

“My ambition is to go to the Senate to represent my people. We don’t seek leadership from the grassroots. When I get to the Senate, whatever rules we meet, we will follow them,” he said.

He described the screening exercise as successful, noting that it reflected unity within the party.

“It was a very good exercise. APC is a family, and we know ourselves.

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Following the requirements of the party, I submitted myself for proper screening, and I believe they are satisfied that I am eligible,” he added.

Similarly, Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, has dismissed fears over the zoning of the NDC’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the possible emergence of Peter Obi as its candidate, insisting the ruling party remains unshaken.

He said the APC still dominates Nigeria’s political landscape with 31 governors, majority lawmakers and over 600 local government chairmen nationwide.