The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged that the Tinubu-led government is deeply uneasy about the rising political strength of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 election.
CUPP claims that President Bola Tinubu and his team view Obi as the single major threat to their hold on power and are allegedly exploring ways to keep him off the ballot.
These allegations were made by the CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ameh, during a recent interview on Monday.
Ameh said that the information did not come from rumours but from deliberate research, private engagements and data gathered across different regions by the coalition.
According to him, the findings show that the presidency is more focused on Obi than any other politician expected to contest in 2027.
He insisted that internal conversations within government circles reveal that the Labour Party candidate is seen as the only figure capable of disrupting the ruling party’s plans.
Ameh explained that the administration’s worry is evident in the continuous online attacks directed at Obi by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga.
He noted that the level of attention given to Obi by government-aligned voices shows that the ruling party is monitoring him closely.
He said his conclusions came from extensive political consultations and private briefings.
“We are not just running election and just making speculation out of the blues. We also collect data, do a lot of engagement… And we know that the only person that this government does not want to be on the ballot is Peter Obi. They are doing everything,” he said.
Ameh pointed at the frequency of Onanuga’s posts to drive home his point. He stressed that the government barely talks about other notable political figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, who are expected to join the race.
He maintained that Obi is the only contender generating genuine concern within the ruling establishment.
“Go and count how many times Bayo Onanuga has posted about Peter Obi on his Twitter page… Tinubu is not afraid of Atiku and Rotimi Amaechi. It’s on record, they know it. There’s a high level of fear,” he added.
Ameh also recalled Obi’s performance during the 2023 general election. He said the Labour Party candidate recorded strong numbers in several states and even secured a victory in the Federal Capital Territory, despite the presence of “federal might.”
He argued that this remains one of the reasons Obi is now seen as a serious political force heading into 2027.
“It took the Mr Peter Obi to garner about 1 million votes that was reduced to 500,000 votes. It took a Peter Obi to come to FCT where there was seat of power to defeat the APC,” he said.
The CUPP secretary noted that the administration’s alleged attempts to weaken Obi’s chances highlight the tension gradually building up as the election cycle approaches.
