Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said he has never encouraged members of the Obidient movement to attack or insult leaders within the opposition coalition, stressing that abusive comments made in his name do not reflect his values or political approach.
Obi made the clarification on Tuesday during an engagement at the Obidient movement’s secretariat, where he called on supporters to uphold respect, unity and discipline within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ADC chieftain said he enjoys cordial relationships with key figures in the opposition coalition and would never endorse name-calling or verbal attacks against them.
“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.
“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.”
Obi described several opposition leaders as respected colleagues and elders, noting that it would be inappropriate for him to speak ill of people he holds in high regard.
“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 — Liyel Imoke, Oyegun, Aregbesola. These are my colleagues. So how do I say anything bad about them?” he asked.
He further assured his supporters that he does not promote attacks on fellow opposition leaders, alleging that some individuals were deliberately trying to damage 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.
Obi urged opposition members to shift their focus from internal disputes to the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, poverty and unemployment.
“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,” he said.
His remarks come amid reports of internal tensions within the ADC linked to his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Leading opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Obi, have both signalled interest in contesting the presidency in 2027. However, their supporters remain divided over zoning, with many Obi loyalists insisting the ticket should remain in the South, while Abubakar’s camp favours an open contest.
On January 20, Abubakar warned supporters of opposition leaders against trading insults, cautioning that such actions only strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said anyone who insults Obi or himself does not have the interest of the coalition or that of Nigerians at heart.
Earlier, on January 6, Abubakar stated that no presidential hopeful in the ADC would step down ahead of 2027, adding that all qualified aspirants would “present themselves freely” once the party begins its selection process.
