NEWS LEVERAGE

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has launched a scathing critique of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, describing him as an “opportunist” attempting to benefit from movements and struggles he did not contribute to.

In a strongly worded statement, Sowore accused Obi of dishonesty and political inconsistency, questioning his stance on public protests and economic hardship under successive Nigerian administrations.

“I have repeatedly stated that Peter Obi’s stance is questionably and patently dishonest if not outrightly dumb,” Sowore wrote, referencing Obi’s past role as an economic adviser during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. He alleged that Obi was complicit in economic mismanagement at the time and accused him of turning a blind eye to corruption, including his alleged ties to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke through his association with Fidelity Bank.

Sowore further challenged Obi’s apparent reluctance to confront the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “If he believes protests were unnecessary under Jonathan, why should Tinubu’s regime be treated differently?” he asked, accusing Obi and his supporters of selective activism.

The human rights campaigner also criticized the so-called “Obidient” movement for what he described as political apathy, noting their lack of action following the 2023 presidential election, their absence during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, and their silence on policies such as the Naira redesign and fuel price hikes.

He alleged that Obi’s political agenda was to replace one set of corrupt politicians with another, accusing key members of the Obidient movement of rejoining the ruling APC. “They are all now back in APC, including his closest lieutenants,” Sowore said.

Drawing parallels with the #EndSARS protests, Sowore accused Obi of attempting to reap the benefits of grassroots struggles without contributing to them. “Like #EndSARS, he is hoping to benefit from the sweat and blood of others without lifting a finger to challenge injustice even against his own Obidient members,” he said.