Peter Obi: Once You Join APC, You Suddenly Become ‘Innocent’

• Peter Obi has accused the APC of creating a system where politicians facing corruption allegations appear to become “innocent” after defecting to the ruling party.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating a political system where politicians facing corruption allegations appear to be absolved once they defect to the party.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Obi argued that Nigeria’s political parties no longer operate on clear ideological principles but are driven by personal interests and political convenience.

“For me, there is no political party in Nigeria today that has an ideology. There is none. Otherwise, the ideology of the APC would be that if you are corrupt and you move to the APC, you are no longer corrupt,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria needs leaders with integrity, competence and compassion rather than politicians who switch parties for personal gain.

Obi also accused the ruling party of deliberately weakening opposition parties, alleging that the internal crises affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and previously the Labour Party (LP), were not coincidental.

“The president said it, and it is happening. When opposition parties are having problems, that is his wish. Because of it, they are destroying the judiciary,” he alleged.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate promised that if elected president in 2027, he would protect opposition parties and allow them to operate freely without government interference.

Obi further dismissed suggestions that endorsements from state governors would automatically guarantee President Bola Tinubu victory in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that governors do not always represent the true wishes of the people in their states.