By Visblog | Updated October 2025
Peter Obi Speaks on South-East Politics
Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has boldly declared that no political party can capture the South-East through defections.
Speaking amid a wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Obi dismissed claims that these movements signal political takeover in the region.
He insisted that the power to decide lies in the hands of the people, not political elites or officeholders switching parties.
We Are in a Democracy, Not Military Rule” Obi
Peter Obi emphasized that Nigeria remains a democracy, where political authority flows from the will of the people, not the dictates of defecting politicians.
According to him, the South-East cannot be subdued or controlled through manipulative alliances, but through genuine leadership and good governance.
“This is democracy, not a military regime. Nobody can capture the South-East through defections,” Obi said.
Governors’ Defections Don’t Mean the People Have Defected
Reacting to recent defections of top leaders — including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah — Obi described such moves as personal decisions, not regional consensus.
He said defections may have short-term political effects but do not automatically translate into voter loyalty. The people, he argued, are wiser and will only follow leaders who deliver development, justice, and equity.
“You can defect all you want, but the people of the South-East know what they want,” he noted.
Good Governance, Not Political Maneuvers, Wins Support
Peter Obi maintained that real power in the South-East comes from performance, not party structure or propaganda.
He challenged politicians to earn public trust through visible results in education, job creation, infrastructure, and security — rather than relying on defections to gain political control.
“You don’t capture people’s hearts through political maneuvers. You earn it through service,” Obi stated.
Political Implications Ahead of 2027 Elections
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, Obi’s statement sends a clear signal:
defections alone cannot secure the South-East Analysts believe his message reinforces voter independence and challenges political godfatherism in the region.
It also highlights the Labour Party’s ongoing influence, especially after the 2023 elections where Obi secured massive votes from the South-East and urban youth across the nation.
Public Reactions Across Nigeria
Many Nigerians on social media praised Obi’s stance as a defense of democracy.
Others argued that defections still carry influence, especially when resources and incumbency are involved.
However, most agree that the South-East remains one of Nigeria’s most politically conscious regions, where voters often prioritize performance over party allegiance.