“NDC Has Not Yet Accepted Peter Obi As Its Presidential Candidate” – Henry Shield Says Obi Made Strategic Mistake

Political analyst, Henry Shield, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not yet accepted Peter Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, despite his defection to the party.

Shield, who spoke on AIT’s Political Platform on Wednesday, described Obi’s decision to join the NDC ahead of 2027 as a strategic mistake and said he does not trust former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson’s alleged support for the former Anambra governor.

According to him, while other major parties are openly marketing their candidates, the NDC has failed to do the same for Obi.

“Every party at this time… APC is marketing Tinubu. You have the Renewed Hope agenda. You have CityBoys or whatever they call themselves. Everything about ADC now is Atiku, but NDC has not yet accepted that Peter Obi is its presidential candidate. What does it cost the party to market a Peter, who is their candidate?” he asked.

Shield questioned why the party is not giving Obi the same level of promotion that President Bola Tinubu enjoys in the APC and Atiku Abubakar receives in the ADC.

He also expressed doubts about Dickson’s commitment to Obi’s bid, saying, “I’m sorry, but I do not trust Dickson’s alleged support for Peter Obi. You are only dwelling on his press address. Go and watch everything.”

He recalled that Dickson had previously claimed on TV that he was as qualified as Peter Obi to contest for president, a statement he said raises questions about his loyalty to Obi.

“When Tinubu was national leader, Bisi Akande was the one addressing the people. Tinubu was the one coordinating from the back. Dickson is in front of everything,” Shield said.

The analyst further criticised the NDC’s recent press statements, saying the party appears more focused on warning against hijack of its structure than promoting its candidate.

“All these press statements. Check their last 10 press statements. It’s been about, ‘You cannot come and hijack…’ Nobody is coming there to hijack your party. Some people misbehaved. The party structure should deal with them,” he said.

Shield warned that Obi’s choice of party could prove costly.

“Now, you have three months to an election. Peter made a very strategic error by going to NDC. I’m going to be on record as saying this. I’ve said it severally. He made a strategic error. He didn’t make a decision like a proper Nigerian politician. He’s not going to be allowed to breathe,” he said.