Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that no political party can take control of any part of Nigeria simply because some governors or top politicians have defected to it.
Obi made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to the recent defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the belief that a state or region can be captured through political defections is outdated and does not reflect the current democratic system.According to him, democracy gives people the power to decide their political direction, not governors, senators, or political elites.
He stated that while leaders may choose to switch parties for personal or strategic reasons, such actions do not automatically translate to control over the people’s choices.
The former Anambra State governor explained that governance should be based on persuasion and performance rather than force or manipulation. He added that the idea of “capturing” a region belongs to Nigeria’s past military era when leadership was imposed rather than earned.
Obi maintained that the South-East cannot be politically taken over by any party, noting that true leadership is about winning the trust of citizens through good governance.
He urged political leaders to focus on providing real solutions and improving the welfare of the people, saying that no amount of political realignment or party movement can replace genuine service and accountability.
He concluded that the loyalty of citizens can only be earned through visible results and policies that improve their daily lives, not through political defections or alliances.