I Won’t Stay Where a Party Is Set on Fire — Peter Obi Defends Switching Parties

 NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has defended his decision to move between political parties, insisting that he refuses to remain in any platform engulfed by internal crises and external interference.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, Obi responded to criticism that he has repeatedly switched political parties instead of helping to build strong political institutions.

The former Anambra State governor rejected the suggestion that his movements were driven solely by presidential ambition, maintaining that each decision was based on the state of the parties he belonged to.

“How many parties have I moved?” Obi asked.

“I left the PDP when things were no longer being done according to the rules. One day you will see my statement on why I left the PDP.”

Obi said he subsequently joined another political platform but later found himself confronted with similar challenges.

“The same group of people started fire on it. I didn’t want to stay there and get burned, so I moved,” he said, explaining why he left the party.

When asked why members of his current party should believe he would remain committed despite his history of changing political platforms, Obi argued that the recurring crises are symptoms of Nigeria’s weak democratic institutions rather than a lack of loyalty on his part.

According to him, political parties in Nigeria should be allowed to function independently without interference from powerful interests.

“What is happening now will never happen if I’m president of Nigeria,” Obi said.

“We must build institutions, and those institutions must allow fairness.”

He also criticised what he described as the manipulation of political parties and institutions, including the judiciary, saying such practices undermine democracy.

Obi pledged that if elected president, his administration would promote inclusive governance by engaging opposition parties in addressing national challenges instead of treating them as enemies.

“If I’m in office and there are crises in any part of Nigeria, I will invite all opposition leaders. We will sit down with stakeholders and find solutions,” he said.

“We only compete during elections. After elections, I am in charge, and I will invite everybody.”

According to Obi, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when institutions are strengthened and political competition gives way to collaboration after elections.

His comments come amid continued debate over party defections, coalition politics and the future of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi maintained that his decisions to leave previous political platforms were based on principle rather than political convenience, insisting that he would not remain in any party that had become consumed by internal conflict.

“I won’t stay where a party is set on fire and get burned,” he said.