Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clearly distanced himself from verbal attacks allegedly carried out in his name against leaders of the opposition coalition, declaring that anyone insulting ADC leaders is a criminal and not a true Obidient.
Obi spoke on Tuesday during an engagement at the Obidient Movement secretariat, where he insisted that abusive conduct contradicts his political values and principles.
He stressed that he maintains cordial and respectful relationships with key figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and would never encourage name-calling or internal hostility.
“Let me tell you here, most of the things you hear… criminals that are not Obidient people. You don’t see anybody calling the other a bad name. We are not asking for division, I personally do not in any way… you have never seen me call anybody a bad name,” Obi said.
He urged members of the coalition to embrace mutual respect, warning that insults and personal attacks weaken the opposition.
“We are in the ADC and respect everybody there. But as for calling people bad names, we are not in support of it. I don’t subscribe to it and I am not part of it.
“The people I met there, down to the party chairman, are my elder brothers. People like Atiku are my leader and a very respected elder brother. Amaechi is my brother, and we are very close.
“So also is el-Rufai. Name them, all the people who are there — Liyel Imoke, Oyegun, Aregbesola. These are my colleagues. So how do I say anything bad about them?” he said.
Obi reassured his supporters that he does not promote attacks on fellow opposition figures, alleging that some individuals are deliberately trying to tarnish his image.
“Those who are following me, I assure you, will not say anything bad about them. But some elements are trying to do that to hurt the Peter Obi brand,” he said.
He added that the opposition should focus on Nigeria’s real crises rather than internal squabbles.
“That is not what we should be doing in politics. Let us talk about out-of-school children, hungry and unemployed Nigerians, insecurity, and how random abduction of people — where about 150 worshippers are being kidnapped in churches and mosques — is occurring. That should be our pre-occupation.”
Obi’s remarks come amid reports of growing tensions within the ADC over 2027 presidential ambitions, following his entry into the party.
Both Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have indicated interest in the 2027 race, with supporters split over zoning arrangements, and Obi loyalists pushing for a southern ticket, while Atiku’s camp favours an open contest.
Earlier, on January 20, Atiku cautioned supporters of opposition leaders against trading insults, warning that such actions only benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He had said anyone who insults either himself or Obi does not have the interest of the coalition or Nigerians at heart.
On January 6, Atiku also stated that no ADC presidential aspirant would step down ahead of the 2027 election, noting that all qualified contenders would “present themselves freely” once the party begins its selection process.
