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Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has questioned the political relevance of Peter Obi and the Labour Party, arguing that they do not represent a true opposition force in Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources on Sunday, May 12, Sowore dismissed Obi’s political significance as a fleeting phenomenon, one that ultimately failed to challenge the ruling elite.
“In terms of real opposition, I don’t understand why anyone refers to Peter Obi as one. He hasn’t fought for the mandate he claims, nor has he mobilized his supporters,” Sowore said, criticizing the former Anambra governor for not speaking out on key national issues, such as the hike in fuel prices.
Sowore also characterized the Labour Party as a “short-term” political platform, likening it to an “Airbnb” model used in the United States.
“They come in, check out when their time expires. Once they’re done with Peter Obi, they’ll move on to someone else,” he said.
Furthermore, Sowore suggested that Obi’s surge in popularity during the 2023 elections was largely driven by religious sentiment, especially following the APC’s controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Sowore issued a challenge to Obi’s supporters, saying, “If you can’t mobilize 60,000 people on the streets, then you’re not serious about being an opposition.”
In response, the Obidient Movement quickly rejected Sowore’s comments, labeling them as unfounded. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the movement, defended Obi’s ongoing influence, asserting that the former governor’s every move continues to shape national discourse.
“If Peter Obi is not a threat, why do they always talk about him? Whether he speaks or breathes, it makes news. That’s relevance,” Tanko said in a phone interview with Channels Television.
