Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says a litany of court cases prevented him from conducting local government elections in Anambra in the early years of his administration.
Obi spoke during Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’
programme, where he addressed several controversies surrounding his tenure as
governor of Anambra.
His comment comes amid renewed debate over his achievements
and political record in the south-east state as the 2027 presidential race
gathers momentum.
Obi served two interrupted terms as governor of Anambra
between 2006 and 2014.
He was sworn in on March 17, 2006, after the election
petition tribunal and the court of appeal nullified the victory of Chris Ngige,
then candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in the 2003
governorship election.
However, the state did not conduct local government
elections until January 2014, barely two months before Obi left office.
The ex-governor, who contested the 2023 presidential
election on the platform of the Labour Party, attributed the delay to multiple
litigation and other issues beyond his control.
“It was because there was a lot of litigation from different
groups over different things, which I couldn’t control,” he said.
‘I RELEASED MY VEHICLE FOR NGIGE’S CAMPAIGN’
Obi, however, described his eight-year spell as the most
peaceful period in Anambra’s history, saying he promoted political harmony
despite opposition from rival parties.
He recalled that during his second tenure, he allowed
members of the defunct ACN to use his vehicles for Ngige’s governorship
campaign, despite being an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate.
“As governor of Anambra state, it was the most peaceful
eight years of Anambra state. You know Anambra before I became governor was
very troublesome,” he said.
“During my second tenure, ACN people came to campaign for Dr
Chris Ngige. Fashola was still there as governor. Fashola called me, and I gave
them my vehicle.
“He, Oshiomhole and everybody came to campaign for Chris
Ngige. There was no issue. I brought harmony, and it was peaceful.”
Obi also said he maintained a cordial working relationship
with opposition lawmakers during his tenure.
“In the eight years that I was able to work there, the
entire assembly members were PDP. The three senators were also PDP, while 11
House of Representatives members under me were PDP. I worked with them. Go and
ask them,” he said.
“But I can tell you, during my second general election, go
and ask anybody. Even before that, Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy Uba. I
accompanied him to the campaign. Everybody was there.
“My whole House of Assembly passed a vote of no confidence
in me. I didn’t quarrel with them, and I followed them to places.”
Obi, who was impeached as governor in November 2006 over
allegations of gross misconduct and later reinstated on February 9, 2007, was
re-elected in February 2010.
He left office in March 2014, handing over to successor
Willie Obiano.
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