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Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has cast doubt on the political strength of Peter Obi and the Labour Party, claiming they do not represent genuine opposition in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources on Sunday, May 12, Sowore dismissed Obi’s influence as fleeting and ineffective in challenging the country’s ruling elite.
“In terms of real opposition, I don’t know why anybody refers to Peter Obi as one,” Sowore said. “He hasn’t fought for the mandate he claimed or mobilised his supporters. He’s been silent on major national issues like fuel price hikes.”
Sowore went on to liken the Labour Party to a temporary platform lacking long-term structure. “It’s like an Airbnb,” he said. “You move in, check out when your time expires. When they’re done with Peter Obi, they’ll hand it to someone else.”
He also claimed Obi’s popularity in the 2023 general elections was largely driven by religious sentiment, sparked by the ruling APC’s controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. Taking a jab at the strength of Obi’s support base, Sowore said, “If you can’t put 60,000 people in the streets, then you’re not serious about opposition.”
The comments quickly stirred reactions online and among Obi’s supporters. In response, the Obidient Movement fired back, rejecting Sowore’s claims. National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko argued that Obi remains a central figure in Nigeria’s political conversation.
“If Peter Obi is not a threat, why is he always the topic?” Tanko said in a phone interview with Channels. “Whether he speaks or breathes, it becomes news. That’s political relevance.”
The exchange has sparked fresh debate over the state of Nigeria’s opposition politics and the evolving role of movements like the Obidients in shaping the future.
