Obi: Nigeria Is Not in Military Time, Leaders Must Persuade, Not Capture

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized the recent wave of defections by opposition governors and political actors, warning against attempts to portray the South-East as “captured” politically.

Obi, who briefed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said Nigeria is a democracy and not under military rule, adding that political alignment should be voluntary and based on persuasion rather than coercion.

“We are not in a military time when you capture people,” Obi said in response to the defections of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Describing Governor Mbah as a good friend, Obi acknowledged that political decisions are personal and often guided by individual calculations. “I believe that as governor, he must have taken his decision based on his own political views and calculations,” Obi said.

Obi also dismissed claims that the South-East region could be “captured” politically, noting that leadership in a democracy relies on trust and performance rather than manipulation or force.

Leadership and Governance Over Political Realignment

Speaking further, Obi emphasized that public officials should prioritize effective governance and policies that tangibly improve the lives of citizens. He warned that no political manoeuvre, including mass defections, can ensure loyalty without performance and service delivery.

“The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it,” he said, stressing that political allegiance is earned, not coerced.

Obi’s comments come amid heightened political tension following a series of high-profile defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially left the PDP for the APC on October 14, 2025, with all his commissioners, local government chairpersons, and a significant majority of state party executives. A day later, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his exit from the PDP, citing “obvious reasons” without revealing the party he intended to join.

These defections add to a trend in which the PDP has lost multiple governors over the past six months, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno. Political analysts suggest that these moves reflect growing dissatisfaction among opposition leaders and a consolidation of power by the APC.

Obi cautioned against interpreting these defections as indicative of political dominance over any region. Instead, he framed the events as normal expressions of political freedom within a democratic society. “You are a leader. You tend to do the right things for people to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere,” he said.

He also urged public officials to focus on delivering on their mandates rather than engaging in political realignments for short-term gain. According to Obi, the government’s legitimacy ultimately depends on policies and actions that positively impact the populace, rather than merely engineering party loyalty.

Observers note that Obi’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of democratic principles, even amid a period of significant political shifts. By advocating for persuasion and service over coercion, the former Anambra State Governor reaffirmed his position as a voice for accountability and performance-oriented leadership in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.