According to Punch News of July 21, 2025, Dr Ezeh Ezeh, an Oxford-educated entrepreneur and the Labour Party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, shared his views on the coalition, Peter Obi, and other political issues in an interview with EDWARD NNACHI.
To start with, let me correct the misleading narrative being pushed by some APC loyalists. The coalition’s purpose is far beyond just removing Tinubu from power. Rather, it is a deliberate and thoughtful effort to reform Nigeria’s democracy and set it firmly on the path of accountability and good governance. That said, the level of excitement within the Obedient Movement regarding this coalition effort is simply extraordinary. We have always argued that a united opposition is not just valuable in a democracy but has also become critical to counter the authoritarian tendencies displayed by the APC.
We do not want to return to the era of military-style rule, where civilian institutions existed under a junta’s grip at the federal level. The coalition’s primary mission is to protect the gains and stability of Nigeria’s democratic system. Many Nigerians believe that Tinubu’s APC has systematically wrecked democratic institutions, spread hunger, fostered fear, and compromised independent agencies and elites while steering the nation toward a one-party state. The coalition’s first victory is that it has effectively hit the brakes on that dangerous trajectory.
Certainly, the APC’s fragile structure is already collapsing. They have been scrambling desperately, using all sorts of deceitful schemes and risky tactics to prevent their looming defeat. Considering what unfolded last Wednesday, I can confidently say it’s already too late for them. Nigerians have resolved that never again will a clique of opportunistic politicians be allowed to plunder the country’s wealth. The years of APC misrule have left scars that will forever serve as a lesson and reminder of that dark, destructive chapter. That unfortunate period in our history must never be repeated.
My honest advice to Tinubu is to step back from contesting in 2027. He should emulate Nelson Mandela and choose the path of honour. Instead, he should focus on building a credible electoral process that will allow competent, principled, and capable leaders to emerge. Nigeria can no longer afford this endless culture where a leader clings to power no matter how poor his performance has been. The country needs a fresh start, and a Peter Obi presidency is the key to realising the “new Nigeria” we all hope for. If Tinubu, against all odds, accepts this counsel, Nigerians will forgive the hardships he has inflicted, political tensions will ease, the collapse of state institutions will stop, and true hope will once again be rekindled.
This is indeed a very sensitive issue, and it has been central to the confusion surrounding the coalition negotiations. The so-called Igbo elites — politicians and business figures — have sadly positioned themselves as Peter Obi’s strongest adversaries. They seem bent on sacrificing Obi’s presidential ambition, even though it’s clear to every discerning Nigerian that it is the South’s turn to produce the president. As the coalition talks unfolded, it became clear that many of these individuals were more interested in enriching themselves than contributing meaningful ideas to move Nigeria forward.
I cannot say for sure who is behind them, but those who opposed Atiku Abubakar never convinced me that they were not secretly supporting the incumbent, Tinubu. Many times, my sincere prayer has been that Peter Obi survives these political hawks. They represent the greatest threat to his ambition. Back in 2019, when Peter Obi was Atiku’s running mate, many of these so-called advisers conspired against Obi, working actively to undermine his ticket. History is clear on this. In 2019, Obi delivered the South-East and South-South and made notable gains in the North-Central and even in the South-West.
All Atiku needed then was to secure the North-East and North-West alongside part of the South-West. But his closest associates deceived him, collaborating with APC sympathisers to deliver huge votes to Muhammadu Buhari. Again, ahead of the 2023 elections, these same people blocked Atiku from running with Peter Obi. There was no genuine justification for their actions.
I can boldly say, “It is the same people that are now advising Peter Obi to be VP that actually sabotaged and used Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to confuse the ticket.”
Unfortunately, as everyone could see, 2023 was Atiku’s last chance. For me, 2027 may well be Mr Peter Obi’s final opportunity to contest for the presidency.
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