The Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has rejected claims by the media office of former presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding an alleged plan to block his candidacy in the 2027 elections, describing the accusations as “sheer baloney” and an unfair attack on the democratic credentials of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a detailed statement, Onanuga questioned why political actors “are turning President Tinubu into their favourite whipping boy,” maintaining that the President had no involvement in Obi’s departure from the Labour Party Nigeria or the internal challenges he is reportedly facing within the African Democratic Congress.
“After using the Labour Party to vie for the highest office in the country, Obi dumped it in a classic case of use-and-dump,” Onanuga said. He further argued that Obi failed to address internal disputes within the party and instead aligned with the ‘Obidient movement,’ which he described as lacking the structure required to function as a conventional political organisation.
The presidential aide also criticised Obi’s move to the African Democratic Congress, calling it a “hijacked” party allegedly acquired by Atiku Abubakar from Ralph Nwosu, and insisted that Obi’s current political difficulties were self-inflicted.
“What is the connection of Tinubu with the ADC crisis? Absolutely none,” Onanuga stressed.
He added that Obi and his allies should prioritise resolving internal party issues before focusing on the 2027 elections. Onanuga also noted that Obi’s performance in the 2023 election does not guarantee a similar outcome in the future.
“The fact that he came third in 2023 does not mean he will have the same showing in 2027, if he ever becomes a candidate of any party. 2023 is not like 2027. President Tinubu is an incumbent with many achievements to flaunt, most of which Obi has been blind to acknowledge,” he said.
The statement concluded by urging Obi and his camp to secure a stable political platform, warning that attempts to blame the President amount to “an unfair attempt to besmirch his democratic credentials.”
What you should know
Bayo Onanuga has dismissed claims that President Tinubu is working to block Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition, describing the allegations as baseless.
He insists that Obi’s political challenges stem from internal party issues rather than external interference.
The development highlights growing political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, with key figures already positioning themselves and trading accusations in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
