Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed Peter Obi’s claim that his life could be in danger ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the allegation as a product of “hallucination.”

Basiru criticised the former Anambra State governor on Wednesday, accusing him of making unfounded allegations instead of offering Nigerians a compelling political alternative.

Also read: Peter Obi says he may not be alive to contest 2027 election

“Obi has no relevance. Obi has been consigned to irrelevance,” Basiru said.

The APC chieftain also suggested that Obi should undergo a psychological assessment over the remarks.

“So, maybe Obi needs a psychiatric evaluation to know whether or not he is hallucinating. As far as we are concerned, the statement he made was born out of hallucination,” Basiru said.

The response followed comments by Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who alleged that the Federal Government was frustrating his activities and those of other opposition figures.

Obi also expressed concern that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Those remarks drew reactions from several opposition groups, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the Obidient Movement Worldwide and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, which accused the government of attempting to silence opposition voices.

Basiru, however, rejected those claims, insisting that the APC remained focused on governance and was confident of defeating opposition candidates again in the next presidential election.

He urged opposition parties to concentrate on presenting policies and programmes capable of winning public support rather than making what he described as fear-driven allegations.

According to Basiru, the APC’s performance in government, rather than political rhetoric, will determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

The exchange adds to increasingly heated political rhetoric as parties begin positioning for the 2027 race.

Also read: Peter Obi says he may not be alive to contest 2027 election

While Obi has repeatedly criticised the Federal Government over governance and democratic freedoms, the APC has maintained that it remains focused on delivering its agenda and will defend its record before voters when the next election arrives.