Presidency Condemns Peter Obi's Political Reversal as He Embraces Former Critics
The Nigerian Presidency has issued a sharp response to recent statements made by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who has adopted a notably conciliatory tone toward political figures he previously criticized. In viral video clips circulating online, Obi referred to prominent politicians including Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai as his "elder brothers," marking a significant departure from his earlier positions.
Obi's Conciliatory Remarks Spark Political Controversy
In the resurfaced and recent video recordings, Peter Obi explicitly distanced himself from personal attacks against political opponents across party lines. The former Anambra State governor emphasized respect and long-standing personal relationships with several senior political figures, stating that he would not engage in negative commentary about them.
"In any way, you've never seen me call anybody by name or anything. We respect everybody who's in APGA... as for calling people by name, we are not part of it," Obi declared in one clip that has gained widespread attention on social media platforms.
He further elaborated on his position, naming specific political leaders and describing them in respectful terms: "People like Atiku are my leader, my respected older brother. David Mark is my brother. We are very close, and so is El-Rufai. Name them... I cannot say anything bad about them."
Expanding List of Political Figures Receiving Recognition
Continuing his conciliatory approach, Obi listed numerous political figures across different party affiliations whom he described as colleagues and elder brothers. The comprehensive list included:
- Rotimi Amaechi
- Rauf Aregbesola
- Adams Oshiomhole
- John Oyegun
- Rabiu Kwankwaso
"These are all colleagues, so I cannot say anything bad about them. Those who follow me, I assure you, will not say anything bad," Obi insisted, suggesting that his supporters should adopt similar respectful approaches toward political opponents.
The former presidential candidate also hinted at potential political motivations behind attempts to provoke him into attacking others, stating: "They are trying to introduce them in order to see if they can hurt the PO brand. But I'm not going to say anything bad about them."
Presidency's Strong Reaction and Accusations
The Presidency responded forcefully to Obi's remarks, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga characterizing the statements as evidence of political inconsistency and desperation. Onanuga accused Obi of abandoning earlier positions for political convenience as the 2027 elections approach.
"Peter Obi has set a new record for political desperation. In his pursuit of the presidency, he has shown himself to be unprincipled, a politician willing to go back on his words, abandon his political platform if it is no longer a significant factor in his political calculus," Onanuga stated in an official response.
The presidential spokesman further criticized what he described as Obi's willingness to associate with individuals he had previously criticized harshly, accusing him of making ideological U-turns that undermine political consistency.
Questions About Political Reliability and Leadership
Onanuga expanded his criticism to question Obi's overall political reliability, arguing that the former governor's shifting positions create uncertainty about his true stances on important issues. The presidential spokesman suggested that this inconsistency undermines confidence in Obi's potential leadership capabilities.
"He certainly lacks the character of a reliable political leader. No one can be sure where he stands on any issue. He shifts with the wind and the trends on X," Onanuga remarked, referencing the social media platform formerly known as Twitter where political discussions frequently occur.
The Presidency also framed Obi's conciliatory remarks as potentially betraying his supporters, with Onanuga adding: "As this video clip shows, Obi has now thrown his supporters under the bus, further underscoring his series of contradictions and confusion."
Broader Political Context and Implications
This development occurs against the backdrop of increasing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections. Peter Obi's Labour Party performed unexpectedly well in the 2023 presidential election, establishing him as a significant political figure whose statements and actions receive substantial public attention.
The controversy also follows previous reports that Obi had denied allegations of encouraging members of the Obidient Movement to insult leaders of opposition coalitions, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Those denials came amid purported tensions within the African Democratic Congress regarding emerging presidential permutations for the next election cycle.
Political analysts suggest that Obi's conciliatory approach may represent strategic positioning as political alliances begin to form ahead of 2027, while the Presidency's strong reaction indicates the current administration's interest in shaping narratives about opposition figures and their political consistency.
