Nigerian activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has declared that he considers himself a greater patriot than former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, citing his sacrifices in the struggle for democracy.

Adeyanju made the claim during an interview while discussing his relationship with Obi, saying the two politicians do not like each other.

He said he would respond whenever Obi or his aides attacked him, but maintained that he would not engage in exchanges with the former governor’s aides.

“If you don’t like me and you send your aides to insult me, I will insult you back. But I will not join issues with your aides. I’m bigger than his aides,” he said.

Adeyanju also defended his previous criticisms of Obi, insisting that his statements about the former governor were factual.

He questioned Obi’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic struggle, arguing that serving as a governor alone did not make him more patriotic than individuals who had made personal sacrifices for democracy.

According to him, he had repeatedly risked his life in the course of advocating for democratic values and good governance.

“I’m bigger than him because I’ve made more sacrifices for the country. I’ve almost been killed more than 17 times for democracy, fighting for democracy. What has he done?” Adeyanju said.

He further questioned whether Obi had experienced the same level of persecution associated with the struggle for democracy, including arrest or attacks by the military.

Adeyanju also raised questions about the source of funds used to establish a bank linked to Obi, asking, “The money they used to set up the bank, where did they get the money from?”

The activist maintained that his long-standing involvement in pro-democracy activism gave him a stronger claim to patriotism than Obi.