Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, says the wave of defections by South-East governors and political leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot guarantee the party’s dominance in the region.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Obi dismissed claims that the South-East could be “captured” through political realignments, stressing that the people — not politicians — determine electoral outcomes.
He said Nigeria’s democracy has evolved beyond the era of political control by fiat, adding that the era of “capturing states” ended with military rule.
“We are not in a military government where you capture territories. We are in a democracy, and it is the people who decide where they want to go,” he said.
The comment follows reports of the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the APC, as well as similar moves by some South-East political figures ahead of the 2027 general election. The ruling party is believed to be working to strengthen its base across the region in preparation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Obi, however, said the belief that a governor’s defection translates to the control of an entire state is misguided. “No party will capture or win any state just because it has a governor. “People are no longer swayed by political structures; they are looking for leadership, competence, and service.” he said
He described Mbah as “a good friend” who made his political choice freely but warned that the people’s loyalty cannot be transferred through political deals. “Leadership is not about capturing people; it’s about earning their trust through governance,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that the South-East remains politically conscious and will continue to vote based on conviction, not manipulation.
“Our people understand the issues. “They know who stands for development and accountability. You can’t buy that with defections.” he said.
Obi also took a swipe at politicians who see defections as a shortcut to power, saying such moves reflect desperation rather than strategy.
“Defections do not solve the fundamental problems of governance. They only expose the lack of ideological depth in our politics,” he added.
He urged the political class to focus on performance and public service instead of trading loyalty for appointments or privileges.
“You win people by good governance — by making their lives better, not by jumping from one party to another,” Obi said.
