In an interview, Chief Paul Agbebia Obi — national secretary and spokesperson of the Community of Renaissance Thinkers Foundation (Nigeria), a PDP chieftain and a prominent figure of the Coalition from Cross River State — says if the opposition coalition chooses a Southern candidate, it will win the 2027 presidential election.
On the 2027 election and the opposition coalition’s chances of success
The Coalition enjoys the support of Nigerians, who have all been stretched beyond elastic limits and have already collapsed under the burdens of a failed government of tax collectors. However, the Coalition must zone its ticket to the South; otherwise it will collapse. Any attempt to zone the ticket to the North or remain indecisive — the opposition coalition of whatever name or party will die naturally.
On Atiku From The North Wanting The ADC Ticket
According to him, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will not be President of Nigeria in his present life cycle. In discussions among youthful voters and their mothers — who will decide who wins — Atiku is no longer mentioned. Nobody discusses him at all; it is as good as if he no longer exists to the notice of Nigerian youthful voters. He should forget it. We cannot trust his generation again. It’s unfortunate.
On His Preferred Candidates From The South
“We have credible hands who will clean up the mess created by these tax collectors, protect the Dangote refinery, and stop the importation of PMS. They include Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Mr. Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and my humble self. Give any of us the ticket and, before 3 p.m. on election day, local and international media will bid Tinubu farewell. Tinubu stands no chance in 2027.”
On insecurity
He claimed: “Tinubu’s security aides behave as if they know the bandits very well, are investors in the business, and keep them for a purpose.” He criticised a recent peace-talk meeting in Katsina, questioned the government’s failure to crush bandits despite investments in security, and accused the authorities of neglecting states such as Benue and areas like Kadarko. He argued the government needs to clearly call such attacks genocide against indigenous Northern populations, prosecute sponsors and fighters, and ensure both North and South get a president who will “wipe out the criminals and prosecute them.”
On FCT Minister Nyesom Wike
He predicted that the war Wike leads against the opposition will fail, and that eventually Wike will be remembered only in law books — for manipulating the judiciary, damaging its image, greed and the many negatives he caused. He said Nigeria cannot afford a dictatorship.
On PDP Governors Moving To APC, Weakening The Opposition
He said the governors — whether of APC, PDP or LP — along with the President, are among the problems facing Nigeria. He even suggested they all move to APC to make clear who the real enemies of Nigeria are. But he believes that when the governors all gather in APC, it will make defeating Tinubu easier in 2027.
Chief Paul Obi is a Cross Riverian and writes from the Hills of Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Chief Paul Obi, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.