Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged Nigerians to scrutinise his background and that of his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and expose any wrongdoing they may have committed.
Obi made the challenge on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a town hall meeting with voters tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria”, where he responded to questions on the 2027 general election.
The former Anambra State governor said he and Kwankwaso had made their personal and educational backgrounds available for public scrutiny and verification.
“I want to give every Nigerian the opportunity to know who I am,” Obi said.
“Both of us have presented our backgrounds, from our dates of birth to our schools, education and all, to the people. You can go and verify our backgrounds worldwide, anywhere.”
Obi also referred to the legal action he instituted against Kenneth Okonkwo, his former spokesperson during the 2023 presidential campaign, over alleged defamatory statements concerning their past dealings.
According to Obi, Okonkwo had claimed to possess information about his past that could shock Nigerians.
“We have sued somebody in court. He said he knows something he can say and the people will be shocked. I said I want you to say what people will be shocked about,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate subsequently challenged Nigerians and others across the world to produce evidence of any wrongdoing by him or Kwankwaso.
“And I’m challenging every Nigerian. If there is anything that you know I have done that is wrong, say it out now,” he said.
“I’m challenging the world over: if you know anything that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has done that is wrong, say it out now.”
Obi said candidates seeking the nation’s highest political office should be subjected to a credible and transparent process.
“You cannot continue to answer his excellency when the process that got you there is not excellent,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the backgrounds and records of major contenders ahead of the 2027 presidential election, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.