‘There Will Be Attempts That Peter Obi, Atiku Are Not On Ballot’ – Oseni

Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has alleged that there may be attempts to stop key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, from appearing on the ballot in the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that Oseni made the claim on Tuesday while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show.

His comments followed a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of some political parties.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (A), Action Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Action Alliance Party (AAP) over alleged constitutional breaches.

The judgment followed a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The group had argued that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional and statutory electoral performance requirements needed for continued recognition as political parties.

Justice Lifu also barred INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting nominations from them or allowing them to participate in activities related to the 2027 general elections

The ruling, if upheld, could affect the political ambitions of some politicians, including Atiku, who is associated with the ADC.

It could also affect Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Speaking on the programme, Oseni described the ruling as a “test” of public reaction. He warned that more actions could follow ahead of the next general election.

According to him, opposition parties such as the ADC and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) should be cautious, alleging that attempts could be made to prevent major political figures from contesting.

‘Nigerians Must Remain Vigilant’

Oseni argued that the judgment formed part of a broader process aimed at shaping the political landscape ahead of 2027.

He maintained that the ruling came despite some of the affected parties having recorded electoral victories in recent elections.

The television anchor urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in defence of democracy.

He also stressed the need for judicial reforms alongside efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.

Oseni said, “NDC, ADC should be careful because there will be an attempt, and this is me predicting now, to ensure that Obi, Atiku and other big contenders are not on the ballot.

“What you saw yesterday is just a test. This is not the real place where the whole thing is going. This is me predicting now.

“You know, before you have a show, you test the microphone. They want to see the reactions of Nigerians. More is still coming.

“You can see how they carry a judgement when ADC won two House of Representatives seats in Kogi, one Kogi House of Assembly seat, APP won one chairmanship seat in Jigawa, Zenith Labour Party won several seats in Abia, but they still went ahead and issued judgement for deregistration after the Court of Appeal, a higher court, said it should stay on that.

“If we want to deal with this judicial rascality, can I tell you something? The judge who gave this judgment, nothing will happen to him. Nothing on this earth. They are just coming.

“And who is leading this group? Gbajabiamila. Have you forgotten what Gbajabiamila said on Hon Ajibade’s birthday? So they are just coming. This one is just a test. The next one they will do is the NDC.

“With the way they’re going, if Nigerians don’t shine their eyes when they finally have this election, you will not have the major contenders on the ballot. This thing they have just done is to test reactions from Nigerians.

“I saw this thing coming. You know we are going into an election in which Atiku Abubakar is the only major candidate from the North. It’s not like the last one; you have Kwankwaso that can split the Kano votes. And you have Peter Obi and a general consensus that a lot of people are in abject penury, and insecurity is raging hard.

“This is the beginning of many things. They are just testing the microphone. It’s engineered. More is coming. Nigerians, it is you who will save your democracy. Judicial reforms have become so important due to insecurity in Nigeria.”