Peter Obi Recounts Supporting Opposition Campaigns During Tenure as Anambra Governor

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has emphasized the importance of a strong opposition in a functioning democracy, stating that a president should not celebrate internal crises within rival parties.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Obi recounted events during his time as Governor of Anambra State, where he allowed and supported opposition figures to campaign freely in the state.

Obi recalled that during his re-election campaign, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola visited Anambra to support his opponent, Dr. Chris Ngige. Despite being political rivals, Obi said he provided Fashola with official vehicles for his movement.

“Fashola is alive, he was coming to my state to campaign for Dr. Chris Ngige in an election I’m campaigning, and I gave him my official vehicles that drove him to the campaign,” Obi said.

He also mentioned that former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the state to campaign for another opposition candidate, Andy Uba. Obi stated that he personally drove Obasanjo to the campaign venue in his official car.

The former governor cited these instances to reinforce his belief in democratic principles and political tolerance.