Peter Obi has declared that he will no longer respond to attacks, allegations or provocations from political surrogates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said he would only engage presidential candidates whose names will appear on the ballot.
The position was contained in a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Office and signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr.
The media office said Obi would no longer be drawn into exchanges with individuals it described as political proxies acting on behalf of presidential candidates.
According to the statement, some political surrogates have resorted to allegations and what it described as fabrications in an attempt to keep their principals politically relevant.
It added that such individuals often see it as a victory whenever they succeed in attracting the attention of the presidential candidate.
The statement argued that the 2027 presidential election should be about the individuals seeking the mandate of Nigerians and not their representatives.
“A presidential election is a contest between the individuals whose names will appear on the ballot and who are asking Nigerians to entrust them with leadership of the country, not between candidates and their hired defenders.”
The Obi Media Office said the former Anambra State governor was prepared to defend his record and explain his policies directly to Nigerians.
It challenged other presidential candidates to adopt the same approach by coming forward to explain their records, policies and plans for the country.
“Our candidate, Mr Peter Obi, is a presidential contender. He stands by his words, defends his record, and is prepared to discuss his ideas openly with Nigerians to enable them to make a well-informed choice.
“Those seeking to govern Nigeria should have the same courage. We challenge every presidential candidate hiding behind surrogates to step forward and speak for themselves. Defend your record. Explain your policies. Address the concerns Nigerians have. Debate your fellow candidates. Do not send proxies to fight battles you are unwilling or unable to face directly.”
Politics Nigeria earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission has already published the final list of presidential candidates for the election, with Obi listed among those seeking the presidency.
The commission’s publication has also provided voters with details of the candidates and their running mates ahead of the poll.
Obi has, in recent weeks, repeatedly called on presidential candidates to face Nigerians directly.
At the formal commencement of his 2027 campaign in August, he challenged other contenders to defend their records and subject their plans to public scrutiny.
He also criticised the practice of presidential candidates relying on proxies during election campaigns, saying those seeking the country’s highest political office should be prepared to answer questions from Nigerians themselves.
It said Obi would not participate in what it described as a political arrangement where candidates remain in the background while their supporters or appointed representatives engage their opponents.
“It is politically convenient to employ surrogates to make reckless accusations, distort facts, and throw mud, while the candidate remains safely removed from the fallout. But Nigerians deserve better than remote-controlled presidential politics.”
The media office further stated that policy disagreements should be handled directly by the candidates involved.
It said any presidential candidate who has an issue with Obi should come forward and raise it publicly.
“Mr Peter Obi will not partake in that spectacle. From now on, surrogates are not our constituency of response. Candidates are. If a presidential candidate has an issue with Mr Obi, let that candidate speak directly. If there are policy disagreements, let the candidates debate openly. If there is a challenge to Mr Obi’s record, let the challenger present their own record as well. No more proxies. No more political ventriloquism. No more responses to individuals who are not on the ballot.”
The Obi Media Office maintained that the focus should remain on issues that affect Nigerians rather than personal exchanges involving political surrogates.
“The 2027 election will not be decided by the loudest surrogate. It will be decided by Nigerians. And Nigerians deserve to hear directly from those seeking their votes. If your name is on the ballot, Peter Obi will engage with you. If you are not on the ballot, Peter Obi has no reason to engage with you.”
It said Obi would continue to focus on what it described as the country’s leadership challenges, including the concerns and aspirations of citizens.
“We are committed to the Nigerian people—listening to their suffering, respecting their aspirations, and focusing on the urgent task of rescuing our nation from the failures of leadership.”
The statement ended with a renewed call for presidential candidates to step forward and engage one another directly.
“The era of responding through surrogates is over. Let the candidates come forward. A New Nigeria is Possible but certainly not with surrogates,” the statement reads.