Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would not use the powers of the presidency to pursue political opponents if he wins the 2027 election.
Obi made the statement while responding to questions about his relationship with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and speculation over what could happen to the minister if the opposition takes power.
Wike had previously said he could become a target of opposition politicians, including Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
However, Obi said his ambition was not driven by a desire to settle political scores. He described Wike as a friend and said he would not spend his time in office pursuing people who disagreed with him politically.
According to Obi, using the presidency to settle personal or political differences would amount to a failure of leadership. He said his focus would instead be on governing Nigeria within the law and using available resources responsibly.
The former Anambra State governor also said politicians should be free to support whichever political platform they believe in. He stressed that disagreements during an election should not prevent politicians from working together when they have responsibilities to the country.
Obi's comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election. Wike has remained a member of the Peoples Democratic Party but has openly supported President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid. He has also criticised opposition figures, including Obi and Atiku.
Obi said a government under his leadership would seek to work with opposition parties rather than harass them. He has also previously said opposition politicians would be involved in discussions on major national issues if he becomes president.
The remarks highlight the increasingly competitive political environment ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Obi, Atiku and other opposition figures positioning themselves against the governing political structure.
For now, Obi's comments represent his stated approach to political opponents if elected. The actual policies and actions of any future administration would depend on the outcome of the election and subsequent decisions by the government and relevant institutions.