2027: Obi Most Scrutinised Ex-Gov Because of Presidency Chances – Ejimakor

Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, leader Nnamdi Kanu, has said former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate Peter Obi is facing heavy scrutiny because of his ambition to become president in 2027.

Ejimakor made the claim in a statement on Saturday while discussing the growing attention on Obi’s record as governor and his current presidential campaign.

The lawyer said Obi was being examined more closely than other former governors because, in his view, the NDC candidate is the first Igbo politician since the Nigerian Civil War whom he considers to have a realistic opportunity of winning the presidency.

Ejimakor also defended Obi’s record in Anambra State, describing his administration as one that focused on careful management of public funds, limited debt and investments in areas such as infrastructure and education.

He argued that the attention on Obi had moved beyond questions about his eight-year tenure as governor and had become linked to his current political ambition.

According to Ejimakor, the disagreement involving Obi and the present Anambra State government had also grown into a wider political dispute, which he claimed was being driven by some ethnic and political interests concerned about Obi’s 2027 campaign.

He further argued that Obi’s public record was being examined more closely than those of other politicians whom he accused of having questionable wealth or corruption records.

Ejimakor described this as an unfair political environment, claiming that Obi’s supporters believe his record of financial accountability should protect him from some of the attacks directed at him.

His comments come amid renewed public debate over Obi’s record as Anambra governor, particularly issues involving the state’s finances and debts. The former governor has faced questions over his administration’s financial record, while different political figures and groups have offered competing accounts of his tenure.

The scrutiny has also extended to Obi’s personal and academic records as he prepares for the 2027 presidential election. Obi recently said he was willing to have his academic records made available for legitimate public examination, saying presidential candidates should be prepared for proper scrutiny.

Ejimakor’s latest statement therefore adds to the ongoing political debate surrounding Obi, his eight-year administration in Anambra and his campaign for the presidency under the NDC ahead of the 2027 election.