Obi: No party can ‘capture’ any region due to defection

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed concerns that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state, insisting that no political party can “capture” any region merely because a governor defects to it.

Speaking in Abuja, Obi made the remarks in response to the recent defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Anambra State governor, known for his advocacy of issue-based politics, described the idea of “capturing” a state through political defections as outdated and reminiscent of Nigeria’s military era.

“The people will decide where to go, not governors or senators. No party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor,” Obi said.

He added that while Mbah remains a friend, the governor’s decision to defect was a personal political choice.

Obi further rejected claims that the South-East region could be politically “captured,” emphasizing that leadership in a democracy should be rooted in persuasion and performance, not coercion.

“As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military era where you capture people.

You lead by example and do the right things for the people to follow you. So, I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere,” he said.

The Labour Party leader urged political officeholders to prioritize good governance and people-focused policies, stressing that citizens’ loyalty cannot be secured through political maneuvering alone.

“The government needs to do more if it wants the people’s support,” he added.

Obi’s comments come amid growing political tension over a wave of defections by opposition governors and lawmakers to the APC — a trend that critics warn could entrench one-party dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.