The National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Abia North in the 2027 election, Uko Nkole, has described the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as an “institution” in Nigeria.
Nkole made the statement while responding to claims that Obi’s campaign activities were yet to make a significant impact in Abia State.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, the former member of the House of Representatives said Obi remained a widely recognised and respected political figure with a reputation for credibility.
Nkole argued that judging Obi’s political presence solely by campaign activities in Abia would overlook the wider scope of the 2027 presidential election.
“It’s shocking to hear that Obi and the NDC are nowhere to be found in Abia State, because the larger picture is His Excellency, Obi. And he’s running,” he said.
He explained that Obi was contesting a nationwide presidential election rather than a governorship election in a particular state.
“He’s not running for governorship election in Lagos or Anambra State. He’s running an election that cuts across the entire 469 federal constituencies,” Nkole added.
He also pointed to the NDC’s participation in the National Assembly elections, saying the party had fielded candidates across a large number of senatorial districts.
“I mean 109 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies. And at the last count, NDC fielded 100 senatorial candidates out of 109,” he said.
On his own candidacy and the issue of internal democracy within the NDC, Nkole said he emerged from the party’s National Assembly primary election to contest the Abia North senatorial seat.
“I emerged victorious during the May 29th NDC National Assembly primary elections to represent Abia North in the Senate,” he said.
Nkole described himself as the NDC’s standard-bearer for Abia North and praised the party’s growth ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said his candidacy reflected the outcome of the party’s internal electoral process and expressed confidence in the NDC’s political structure as it prepares for the general election.
