The Presidency has criticised former Anambra State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) figure, Peter Obi, accusing him of political inconsistency and desperation in his quest for power.
The criticism was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he reacted to a viral video featuring Obi.
In the video, Obi appeared to acknowledge several prominent political figures—including David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi—as influential leaders in Nigeria’s political landscape. According to Onanuga, the remarks represent a sharp departure from Obi’s earlier stance during the last election cycle, when he openly distanced himself from what he described as a corrupt political establishment, referring to it as a “structure of criminality.”
Onanuga argued that Obi’s apparent change of position raises serious questions about his credibility and commitment to the principles he previously championed. He described the shift as a reversal that undermines the narrative on which Obi built much of his political appeal.
The presidency further noted that Obi’s willingness to associate with figures he once criticised suggests an inclination to abandon past convictions when they no longer align with his political ambitions. According to Onanuga, such behaviour reflects a pattern of shifting positions driven by political calculations rather than firm ideology.
Onanuga also criticised Obi’s handling of his supporters, suggesting that his recent comments imply that those who believed in his earlier message may have been misled. He said the episode reinforces concerns that Obi lacks ideological consistency, adjusting his stance based on alliances and prevailing political dynamics.
“The video clip shows Obi throwing his supporters under the bus, further underscoring his series of contradictions and confusion,” Onanuga stated.
In his post, Onanuga wrote: “Peter Obi has set a new record for political desperation. In his pursuit of the presidency, he has shown himself to be an unprincipled politician willing to go back on his words, abandon his political platform if it is no longer relevant to his political calculus, and even ‘eat his own vomit’.”
He added that Obi’s actions suggest a readiness to align with anyone, including individuals he had previously criticised, noting that such frequent reversals cast doubt on his reliability as a political leader.
The presidency concluded that effective leadership requires consistency and clarity of purpose—qualities it said are lacking in Obi’s recent political conduct.
