Arise News Political Editor, Sumner Sambo, has urged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to remain in the party and confront its current challenges instead of considering another political move.
Sambo made the appeal on Monday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he reacted to the latest legal development affecting the party.
His comments followed a decision by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The ruling has generated fresh uncertainty around the party’s future and sparked discussions over the political implications for Obi, who recently emerged as the NDC’s presidential candidate.
Speaking during the programme, Sambo questioned what he described as a recurring pattern of political difficulties surrounding parties associated with Obi.
“Why is it that anytime Peter Obi gets into one party, there seems to be a decision or an abrupt measure to escalate problems in that party, or to ensure that the party doesn’t compete in the elections?” he asked.
He argued that the current situation presents Obi with an opportunity to demonstrate political resilience rather than seek another platform.
“So, I think Obi himself knows it, and this is the time for him to stay in the NDC and fight, not to start thinking of leaving the NDC. He should stay in the NDC and make sure that he fights it out and come out victorious,” Sambo said.
The Arise News political editor also referenced Obi’s previous political affiliations, suggesting that changing parties would not necessarily shield him from future political challenges.
“If they pursued him from the PDP to Labour Party, and then to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, what makes him think that if he leaves the NDC, that they won’t fight him again?” he stated.
According to Sambo, Obi has reached a point where perseverance is the better option.
“It’s already too late, so let him stay in the NDC, show his political credentials, and then fight it out,” he added.
The remarks come as political stakeholders continue to monitor the legal battle over the NDC’s registration and its potential impact on the party’s participation in future elections. Neither Peter Obi nor the NDC had publicly responded to Sambo’s comments as of the time of filing this report.
