(DDM) – Aloy Ejimakor, a lawyer and legal consultant to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has openly criticized suggestions that Peter Obi should drop his reported 2027 presidential ambition, calling such advice cowardly and misleading.
He pushed back against narratives that Obi cannot succeed because President Bola Tinubu allegedly controls key institutions.
Ejimakor described the argument as both defeatist and historically inaccurate.
He shared his position in a post on the social media platform X, where political debates often attract large Nigerian audiences.
He insisted that democratic contests should not be reduced to assumptions about institutional control.
According to him, telling a politician to quit based on fear undermines democratic choice.
He argued that voters, not political rumors, decide elections.
Ejimakor specifically rejected claims that Tinubu controls the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies in a way that guarantees victory.
He said such claims promote political discouragement rather than civic participation.
He also reminded readers that Nigerian political history offers counterexamples.
He pointed to the 2015 presidential election where incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan controlled federal power and state resources at the time.
Yet voters still chose a different candidate.
Ejimakor used that example to argue that incumbency does not equal automatic victory.
He said Nigerian democracy has shown the ability to produce surprises.
Peter Obi, a former Anambra State governor, remains one of Nigeria’s most talked-about opposition figures.
He gained national momentum during the 2023 presidential election.
His campaign energized many young and urban voters.
Supporters praised his message on fiscal discipline and governance reform.
Critics questioned the depth of his political structure nationwide.
Since the last election, Obi has stayed active in public discourse.
He comments on economic issues, governance, and national development.
Speculation about 2027 has already started among supporters and rivals.
Nigeria’s political environment often sees early positioning years before elections.
Analysts say early debates help shape alliances and narratives.
They also warn that social media amplifies both facts and speculation.
The role of INEC often becomes a hot topic before elections.
The commission oversees voter registration, election logistics, and result management.
Public trust in INEC influences how citizens view election credibility.
Security agencies also draw attention because they maintain order during polls.
However, election outcomes still depend heavily on turnout, party agents, and public perception.
Political scientists note that incumbents enjoy visibility and access to state platforms.
But they also face public scrutiny and performance judgments.
Economic conditions, security situations, and public mood often shape results.
Ejimakor’s comments reflect a broader debate about optimism versus caution in opposition politics.
Some believe strong competition strengthens democracy.
Others worry about structural disadvantages.
For now, discussions about 2027 remain speculative.
No official campaign season has begun.
Yet political actors continue to test narratives early.
Ejimakor’s intervention adds to the chorus urging participation over withdrawal.
His message frames elections as contests decided by citizens.
As Nigeria’s democracy evolves, arguments about fairness and competitiveness will likely continue.
Voters will ultimately determine which narratives carry weight.
