Oct 9, 2026

APC Campaign Council Brands Peter Obi’s 2023 Victory Claim a Troubling Delusion

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria—October 9, 2026—The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has launched a sharp attack on Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing his continued insistence that he won the 2023 presidential election as a “troubling display of delusion” and a lack of character.

In a press statement released on Friday and signed by the council’s spokesman, Dele Alake, the APC criticized Obi for telling the BBC that he won the 2023 poll while simultaneously admitting he has no evidence to support the claim.

The statement was shared publicly by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Obi’s BBC Remarks Spark Fresh Political Fire

In a recent interview with BBC Africa, Obi, the former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party candidate, was asked about his long-standing assertion that he won the election and that it was rigged.

He replied: “I don’t like going back to the past. I won the last election. There’s no evidence, but I won the election. Everything is not based on evidence.”

Obi finished third in the February 25, 2023, presidential election according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Tinubu of the APC polled 8,794,726 votes, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 6,984,520 votes, and Obi secured 6,101,533 votes.

Both Obi and Atiku challenged the outcome at the Presidential Election Petition Court; the petitions were dismissed, and the Supreme Court later upheld Tinubu’s victory.

The APC statement accused Obi of posturing and farce, arguing that a candidate who placed a distant third should not persistently claim victory “without evidence and contrary to all official records.” It described the habit as reflecting “a deep and troubling disconnection from reality and absolute disregard for facts and truth.”

APC Reaffirms Tinubu’s Mandate and Renews Call on Obi

Alake’s statement restated that Tinubu won the election “decisively,” with confirmation from INEC, the election tribunal, and the Supreme Court.

It highlighted the president’s ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, expanding infrastructure, supporting businesses and youth, upgrading education and healthcare, and creating jobs.

The council also renewed its earlier call for Obi to honor a reported pledge to exit the 2027 presidential race if it was proven that his administration left liabilities in Anambra State—a claim the APC says has been established by state financial records.

Previous exchanges between the two camps over Anambra’s debt and governance record have already generated heated rebuttals.

Political Context Ahead of 2027

Obi’s comments come as he positions himself under the NDC banner for the 2027 contest. In the same BBC interview, he also discussed his stance on fuel subsidy, insisting his position had not fundamentally changed and focusing on corruption within the previous subsidy regime.

The APC’s strong response underscores the intensifying political temperature more than a year before the next general elections.

Supporters of Obi have long maintained that the 2023 process was flawed, while Tinubu’s camp and official institutions insist the results and court judgments are final.

As the political season heats up, both sides appear set on framing the narrative around credibility, evidence, and past records. Nigerians will be watching closely to see how these exchanges shape public debate in the months ahead.