BREAKING: Govt Doing Everything To Ensure I Do Not Contest In 2027—Obi; Ecuador Beat Germany 2-1 To Reach World Cup Last 32

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Govt doing everything to ensure I do not contest in 2027 — Obi 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has alleged that forces within the Federal Government are working to prevent him from appearing on the ballot for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Friday as a guest speaker at a leadership programme organised by NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Obi claimed efforts were underway to stop his participation in the next election, Daily Post reports.

“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. Nigerian government is doing everything to ensure that I do not contest in this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles but at the destination.

“I’m rather focussed at the fruitfulness of the destination and that is what keeps me going,” he said.

Obi also challenged all prospective presidential contenders, including President Bola Tinubu, to a public debate on their plans for the country.

“I challenge any of those contesting to a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including President Bola Tinubu. I’m not saying it to make you happy but to change Nigeria and make it work,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor told the students that he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to see the country improve.

Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 to reach World Cup last 32 

Ecuador squeezed into the last 32 of the World Cup with an upset 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday as Ivory Coast ended Curacao’s fairytale campaign to seal their passage to the knockout rounds.

A nailbiting Group E game between Ecuador and group winners Germany at the MetLife Stadium was settled 13 minutes from time, when Gonzalo Plata jabbed home the winning goal from close-range for the South Americans.

Plata’s winner came after Ecuador had recovered after Germany took the lead from a controversial Leroy Sane goal after two minutes before equalising through Nilson Angulo.

The result means Ecuador finished Group E with four points, guaranteeing them a place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Germany had already been assured of winning the group after wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao.

Ivory Coast meanwhile sealed the runners-up spot in Group E after eliminating Curacao in Philadelphia, Nicolas Pepe scoring twice in a 2-0 victory. It is the first time that the west African nation have reached the knockout stage.

Curacao, the smallest country by population ever to play in the World Cup, depart the tournament with one point to finish bottom of the group.

The Group E games kicked off another packed slate of six games across the tournament on Thursday which will give more clarity to the shape of the knockout rounds.

The United States have already clinched top spot in Group D and will be looking to end their first round campaign with a victory over already-eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles.

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rest a number of players saying it was “unnecessary to take a risk” with Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun, who are facing suspension if they collect another yellow card.

The US have not reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup since 2002, but a strong start has raised hopes they could go on a deep run on home turf.

Court ruling on NDC is a hurdle, not stop sign – Obi 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls, Peter Obi, has described Friday’s judgment of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending when all legal issues surrounding it are resolved as a hurdle and not a stop sign

The former Anambra State governor has urged his supporters to remain calm as their legal teams are currently reviewing the judgment of the Federal High Court.

This was contained in a statement issued by Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), through its spokesman, Idris Zekeri, who confirmed that their team has been bombarded with calls from the newsrooms and other concerned persons on the purported ‘strange court ruling’.

The statement read, “Peter Obi Media Reach. POMR has been bombarded with calls from the newsrooms and other concerned persons on the strange court ruling from a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State. Below are our initial responses to inquiries pending legal views on it.

”We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). While our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures, our Principal urges all our supporters, coalition partners, and patriots nationwide to remain absolutely calm and focused.

”We always knew that the journey to dismantle a deeply entrenched and grossly underperforming political status quo would be met with fierce institutional resistance and unexpected legal detours.

“Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign. Our commitment to providing a transparent, legitimate, and formidable alternative for Nigerians remains unshakeable. The platform we are building is robust, and our legal rights will be vigorously pursued. Do not be discouraged; the vehicle may face a temporary breakdown, but our destination remains non-negotiable.”

Obasanjo Visits Kwankwaso in Kano 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence in Kano, on Thursday.

Obasanjo was received by Kwankwaso and the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, confirmed the visit in a statement, describing it as an opportunity for “warm exchanges” between the leaders.

He, however, did not give further details on what the two politicians discussed during the meeting.

Shelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells Tinubu 

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, on Friday urged President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, warning that introducing the new policing structure ahead of the polls could expose it to political manipulation.

Obi’s position comes barely days after the National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, a landmark reform aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system in response to growing insecurity across the country.

The proposed constitutional amendment, which now awaits approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent, provides for the creation of state police commands alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

It also includes safeguards intended to prevent governors from abusing the new security architecture, following years of concerns that state police could be deployed against political opponents.

However, Obi argued that despite the merits of decentralised policing, the current implementation process raises concerns over transparency and the possibility of political abuse, particularly with the 2027 general election drawing closer.

The former Anambra State governor made his position known in a statement posted on his X handle titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”

He said, “The recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly marks a significant legislative milestone in addressing a long-standing demand of the Nigerian people.

“For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria. However, the legislative and constitutional implementation appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.”

To guard against abuse, Obi called for strong independent oversight, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, saying such safeguards were essential to ensure state police serve the public interest instead of becoming tools of the political elite.

While stating that there was no assurance that the current administration would not exploit state police to influence the 2027 general election, the former governor consequently urged the Federal Government to postpone the implementation of state policing until after the general election.

He said, “Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy.

“In view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election. A New Nigeria is Possible.”

State police has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional reform issues, with supporters arguing that decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid response to insecurity, while critics fear governors could exploit state-controlled police for partisan purposes.

Although the Senate incorporated several provisions designed to limit abuse, including restrictions on political interference and mechanisms for independent oversight, the proposal continues to generate debate among political parties, civil society groups and security experts over its timing and implementation.