Merger: Cleric Warns Obi Over Possible Sabotage Ahead Of 2027

Mr Peter Obi should cautiously tread ahead of the 2027 presidential polls to avoid being sabotaged by his political enemies.

An Anambra-based clergyman, Rev Jerry Nwachukwu, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Idemili on Sunday.

Nwachukwu, the Senior Pastor of the Bible Base Miracle Assembly, warned Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), not to expose his presidential campaign strategies, if he wished to contest, to everybody to avoid being sabotaged.

He was referring to alleged merger plans that might bring former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party and Obi under one umbrella.

He said, “If Obi failed to be well guided while forming a merger with his former political allies, his plans for 2027 presidency may be sabotaged.”

The cleric told the former Anambra governor that though it is politically wise to form a merger at this time in order to form a stronger opposition, “Obi should be aware that the ruling party will infiltrate the union through some strong opposition elements, and sabotage the merger”.

Quoting him, “Obi should keep much of his plans to himself. He shouldn’t expose much of it to anybody or group in the process of the planned merger. He must understand that the government in power will pay some strong political figures in different opposition political parties, especially the LP and PDP, in order to abort and sabotage the plans.

“Obi must not forget the games, gimmicks and betrayals of 2023, and should not over trust any political friend.”

He alleged that in 2027, the party in power would not depend “wholly on popular votes, but on manipulations”, adding that “If the citizens are ready for a new Nigeria, they should vote, and follow their votes to the last destination.”

He charged Obi to realise that in the planned merger, weak political figures and institutions would be ready to sell out to the government in power. He advised Obi to focus on the Nigerian youths by sensitizing them on the things he would bring to the table if elected president in 2027.

Speaking on President Bola Tinubu’s performance so far, the cleric said since the inception of the present administration, nothing had changed for the better. He said that Tinubu’s best were yet to be felt by a majority of Nigerians.

On religious leaders and pastors contesting and occupying political positions, the pastor noted that no part of the constitution forbids clergymen from contesting elective positions. He, therefore, encouraged those with capacities and the calling to serve the masses to run for elective positions and bring the anticipated changes.

He said, “I encourage clergymen to play active roles in politics; and if they have the opportunity, they should contest elective posts. And when they win, they should represent God by delivering good governance to the people.”