Oct 10, 2026

“Obi Is the Hope of Nigerians” — NDC’s Ali Makes Bold 2027 Claim

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Lagos, Nigeria—October 10, 2026—In a pointed appearance on Arise News, Babatunde Ali, Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declared that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi remains the clearest hope for Nigerians as the country races toward the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the network’s News Night programme, Ali framed Obi as one of the “good eggs” still left in Nigerian politics and insisted that the hope of the nation’s younger and working-age population rests with the NDC ticket.

“There are still good eggs, and in 2027, that is Peter Obi. He is the hope of Nigerians,” Ali said. He pointed to recent figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showing that roughly 29 million registered voters are aged 18–35, while about 43 million fall between 36 and 49.

These groups, he argued, represent Nigeria’s present and future, and their aspirations are best served by the opposition party.

INEC Data Underscores the Stakes

INEC’s latest national voters’ register, released at a stakeholders’ meeting marking 100 days to the elections, puts the total number of registered voters at more than 103 million.

The 35–49 age bracket forms the single largest group (approximately 43.3 million, or 41.8 per cent), followed by the 18–34 cohort (nearly 29.8 million, or 28.8 per cent). Together, voters under 50 make up roughly 70 per cent of the electorate.

Ali’s remarks come as the NDC, which formally fielded Obi as its presidential candidate with former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as running mate, continues to position itself as a major opposition force. The party has emphasized national unity, credible elections, and a break from what it describes as entrenched governance failures.

Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and later aligned with the NDC, has repeatedly stressed that his campaign is driven by a desire to see Nigeria work rather than personal ambition.

He has highlighted issues of poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and institutional weakness while calling on young people to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively.

Ali’s endorsement reinforces the NDC’s messaging that the demographic weight of younger and middle-aged Nigerians makes change possible if they turn out in large numbers.

The comments also reflect the intensifying competition among opposition platforms as the election calendar advances.

As Nigeria’s largest democracy prepares for another high-stakes vote, statements such as Ali’s keep the focus on whether the country’s youthful and working-age majority will translate numerical strength into decisive political outcomes in 2027.