Peter Obi Rejects Vote-Buying Ahead of 2027 Presidential Bid
Peter Obi pledged to reject voter inducement during a Sokoto town hall meeting while facing criticism from former campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo.
Presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, announced that the Obi/Kwankwaso movement will not provide funds to party agents to induce voters. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Sokoto, the former governor of Anambra State characterized the practice of giving money to voters as vote-buying, which he identified as a contributing factor to rising poverty in Nigeria. Accompanied by running mate Rabi’u Kwankwasos, Obi pledged to focus instead on security arrangements to protect voters and ensure accurate vote counting.
This policy declaration comes amid public friction with Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for Obi's 2023 Labour Party campaign. Okonkwo, now a chieftain and spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stated that the person he supported in 2023 is now a different person politically. Okonkwo argued that his previous support was tied to the Labour Party platform and that he is not obligated to follow Obi into new political ventures.
The rift follows a series of party shifts. Obi previously left the Labour Party for an opposition coalition under the ADC before eventually joining the NDC to pursue his 2027 presidential bid. Okonkwo has since criticized Obi's decision to use the NDC platform for his upcoming campaign.
