Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria, Peter Obi, has dismissed allegations by Daniel Bwala that he attempted to recruit him into his 2023 presidential campaign.
Obi said the allegation did not deserve a response, maintaining that he had no dealings with Bwala and would not participate in what he described as “transactional politics.”
The former Anambra State governor clarified his position in a statement released in Abuja by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, amid growing exchanges among political figures over events linked to the 2023 general election.
The statement read, “Normally, we would not dignify Bwala’s baseless accusations with a reply, given his well-documented history of dishonesty. However, we feel it is necessary to address this matter for the benefit of the public, who may be misled.
“Obi has made it clear that he excludes individuals like Bwala from his political activities and any form of transactional politics that sustain people like him in political circles. The Obi that Nigerians know and appreciate will never engage in such practices. He would rather allocate resources to provide desks for children in Bwala’s village than pay him to concoct falsehoods for public consumption.
“Obi’s approach is rooted in the pursuit of good governance and the creation of a better society for all. He does not pay people to promote a cause; instead, he invites them to join him in believing in a shared vision. For the umpteenth time, we call on Bwala and others like him to count Obi out of their greed, repent, and join us in the quest for a new Nigeria.”
The rebuttal followed recent claims by Bwala that Obi had sought to enlist him in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Speaking during an interview with On-Air Personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala alleged that the request was conveyed through former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting in London.
According to Bwala, the discussion took place at the Hilton Hotel where Obasanjo was reportedly meeting with Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other political stakeholders.
Bwala said that despite his respect for Obasanjo, he declined the alleged overture. He also claimed that Amuchi Osuk had been appointed by Obi’s team to coordinate early campaign activities.
The presidential aide further addressed speculation about his political position at the time, explaining that some critics assumed he would naturally back a Christian presidential candidate instead of the Muslim-Muslim ticket later adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The exchange reflects ongoing political disagreements between individuals linked to the current administration and opposition figures in the aftermath of the 2023 elections.
What you should know
Peter Obi gained nationwide prominence during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, where he ran under the Labour Party Nigeria and built a large grassroots support base popularly called the “Obidient” movement.
Although he did not win the election, Obi remains one of the most influential opposition figures in Nigeria and continues to play an active role in national political discourse.
