Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has declared that if he becomes President, one of his top priorities would be to strengthen opposition parties and ensure they play an active, participatory role in governance, rather than being sidelined or suppressed.

The former Anambra State governor made the remarks during an appearance on the widely watched #WithChude interview series, hosted by media personality, Chude Jideonwo.

Speaking on Nigeria’s political future and the state of democratic institutions in the country, Obi argued that a strong opposition is not a threat to government but a necessary check that strengthens governance and deepens democratic stability.

He said he would personally engage opposition voices and take their constructive input seriously rather than treating dissent as an enemy of the state.

Obi’s comments echo positions he has expressed in previous public engagements, where he has consistently maintained that a credible opposition is critical to any functioning democracy.

He has argued in the past that opposition figures deserve to be heard and protected rather than frustrated, insisting that governance improves when competing political voices are allowed to thrive rather than being crushed.

The remarks come at a time when Obi himself has been vocal about what he describes as mounting pressure on opposition figures under the current administration, including allegations that government actions have deliberately frustrated his personal and business activities.

He has previously claimed that opposition politicians, including himself, face targeted obstruction, a narrative that has stoked tension between his camp and the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general election.

His latest comments are likely to resonate with supporters who have rallied around his repeated calls for inclusive governance, even as his rivals within the APC continue to dismiss his claims and question his political relevance heading into the next election cycle.

Photo Credit: Al jazeera