Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for political candidates to be granted unrestricted access to campaign across the country ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that democratic competition cannot thrive where governors or other public officials restrict opposition activity.
Obi spoke at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
He said presidential and state-level candidates should be free to take their messages to voters in every part of Nigeria without intimidation or administrative obstruction.
“We need that conducive environment to campaign in the country to make democracy work,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that political tolerance was essential to credible elections and recalled that while in office he allowed opposition figures to campaign freely in Anambra.
He cited the visit of then Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to campaign for Chris Ngige during his second term, saying he made his official convoy available to Fashola rather than obstruct the visit.
Obi also called for the 2027 campaigns to be issue-based and urged editors and journalists to subject candidates to rigorous scrutiny based on their records, qualifications, public statements and policy proposals.
He said candidates should answer serious questions themselves rather than rely excessively on aides and proxies to respond on their behalf.
According to him, campaign debates should avoid personal insults and character assassination and instead focus on policies, competence and the record of those seeking public office.
Obi said he respected President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s leader despite their political differences, while maintaining that disagreement over governance and policy remained legitimate in a democracy.
He also urged the media to regard itself as a central institution in safeguarding democratic culture, saying editors had a responsibility to challenge misinformation, demand accountability and keep public debate focused on the country’s future.
The NDC candidate said Nigeria had consciously chosen democratic government and that political leaders, the media and citizens therefore shared responsibility for protecting the system ahead of the 2027 polls.
