Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has explained that numerous court cases stalled his administration’s efforts to conduct local government elections during the early years of his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi addressed criticisms surrounding his time in office, particularly allegations that he failed to hold local government polls while serving as governor.
According to him, prolonged legal disputes created significant obstacles that prevented his government from organizing the elections as planned.
Obi’s remarks come amid renewed public scrutiny of his record in Anambra, with political discussions intensifying ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
His performance as governor has remained a key talking point as supporters and critics assess his leadership credentials.
Obi served two interrupted terms as governor of Anambra between 2006 and 2014.
He was sworn in on March 17, 2006, after the election petition tribunal and the court of appeal nullified the victory of Chris Ngige, then candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in the 2003 governorship election.
However, the state did not conduct local government elections until January 2014, barely two months before Obi left office.
The ex-governor, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, attributed the delay to multiple litigation and other issues beyond his control.
“It was because there was a lot of litigation from different groups over different things, which I couldn’t control,” he said.
‘I RELEASED MY VEHICLE FOR NGIGE’S CAMPAIGN’
Obi, however, described his eight-year spell as the most peaceful period in Anambra’s history, saying he promoted political harmony despite opposition from rival parties.
He recalled that during his second tenure, he allowed members of the defunct ACN to use his vehicles for Ngige’s governorship campaign, despite being an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate.
“As governor of Anambra state, it was the most peaceful eight years of Anambra state. You know Anambra before I became governor was very troublesome,” he said.
“During my second tenure, ACN people came to campaign for Dr Chris Ngige. Fashola was still there as governor. Fashola called me, and I gave them my vehicle.
“He, Oshiomhole and everybody came to campaign for Chris Ngige. There was no issue. I brought harmony, and it was peaceful.”
Obi also said he maintained a cordial working relationship with opposition lawmakers during his tenure.
“In the eight years that I was able to work there, the entire assembly members were PDP. The three senators were also PDP, while 11 House of Representatives members under me were PDP. I worked with them. Go and ask them,” he said.
“But I can tell you, during my second general election, go and ask anybody. Even before that, Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy Uba. I accompanied him to the campaign. Everybody was there.
“My whole House of Assembly passed a vote of no confidence in me. I didn’t quarrel with them, and I followed them to places.”
Obi, who was impeached as governor in November 2006 over allegations of gross misconduct and later reinstated on February 9, 2007, was re-elected in February 2010.
