January 30, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has come under intense political fire following his public embrace of key figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)–led coalition, a move critics say contradicts his earlier rhetoric against Nigeria’s political establishment.
Obi, who rose to national prominence on a reformist message centred on dismantling what he once described as Nigeria’s “structures of criminality and poverty,” is now facing backlash after aligning with politicians he had previously criticised.
In a widely circulated video recorded ahead of the 2023 elections, Obi had vowed to uproot entrenched political systems he blamedfor Nigeria’s decline.
“Those structures of criminality, structure of poverty, and that is the structure I want to throw away,” Obi said at the time.
However, in a more recent video following his association with the ADC coalition, the former Anambra State governor adopted a markedly different tone, stressing unity, respect, and camaraderie among coalition members.
“You’ve never seen me call anybody bad names. We are in ADC. We respect everybody who is in ADC,” Obi said.
“People like Atiku (Abubakar) are my leader, my respected elder brother. Rotimi Amaechi is my brother. We’re very close. And so is Nasir El-Rufai. We are the same team.”
Obi further reassured his supporters that his political realignment does not endorse insults or personal attacks, insisting that attempts to stir division were aimed at damaging his political brand.
“Some elements are trying to introduce that in order to hurt the Peter Obi brand,” he added.
Tinubu Camp Reacts
The shift has triggered sharp reactions, particularly from allies of President Bola Tinubu. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga accused Obi of inconsistency and political desperation, arguing that the former Labour Party candidate has abandoned his principles in pursuit of power.
“Peter Obi has set a new record for political desperation. He is willing to abandon his political platform, go back on his words, and even eat his own vomit in his quest for the presidency,” Onanuga said.
He further alleged that Obi lacks ideological clarity and reliability.
“He can make U-turns on any matter—even on his political ideology, if he has one. No one can be sure where he stands. He shifts with the wind and the trends on X,” Onanuga added.
According to the presidential aide, Obi’s latest comments amount to a betrayal of the very supporters who rallied behind his anti-establishment message during the 2023 election.
“This video shows that Obi has now thrown his supporters under the bus, further exposing his contradictions and confusion,” he said.
As political realignments intensify ahead of future elections, Obi’s evolving alliances continue to fuel debate over consistency, ideology, and the realities of coalition politics in Nigeria.
