Obi says Nigeria’s parties lack ideology, blames APC for opposition troubles

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s political parties lack clear ideological direction, while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately fueling crises within opposition parties to weaken democratic competition.

Speaking on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television, Obi defended his movement across several political parties, insisting his decisions were driven by the absence of ideology and persistent internal crises rather than political opportunism.

The former Anambra State governor said many political parties have become mere vehicles for contesting elections instead of institutions founded on clear principles and long-term national development goals, making it difficult for reform-minded politicians to remain in them.

“The reason I changed parties is because of the instability in those parties. What we have today is a situation where the ruling party is interested in ensuring that opposition parties remain unstable,” he said.

Obi maintained that a healthy democracy requires strong opposition parties operating independently without intimidation or external interference. He promised that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would protect the independence of political parties and ensure that security agencies and government institutions are not used to undermine political opponents.

Asked about his plans for tackling Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, Obi declined to disclose specific policy proposals, saying he already has practical solutions but would not reveal them publicly. He, however, pledged to confront corruption, strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and conduct credible elections if elected.

The NDC presidential candidate also addressed reports linking him to offshore bank accounts exposed in the Panama Papers, describing the funds as family savings accumulated while he lived in the United Kingdom. He said the assets had been declared and investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau, which found no wrongdoing.

Commenting on national issues, Obi acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu performed well as governor of Lagos State but argued that the same level of performance has not been replicated at the national level. He reiterated his support for the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the policy as necessary, but criticised its implementation, saying it should have been backed by proper planning, transparent communication and measures to cushion its impact on Nigerians.