Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has insisted that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is not his enemy, despite his recent criticism of Obi’s governance and economic record.

Oshiomhole made the clarification during an interview with Symfoni TV on Thursday, explaining the relationship between the two former governors and the reasons behind his comments on Obi, now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

He recalled that both men experienced political opposition during their respective tenures as governors, when Oshiomhole belonged to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Obi was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“Peter Obi is not my enemy. We both suffered at some point as governors. I was ACN, he was APGA. We were both oppressed by PDP federal might,” Oshiomhole said.

He also recalled inviting Obi to Edo State to commission projects during his administration, stressing that the invitation was not an indication of political alignment but a demonstration that political differences should not prevent cooperation on development.

“I invited Peter Obi to Edo to commission a project. Obviously, it’s not because I dislike him. If I disliked him, I wouldn’t do that. But he was not the only one I invited. I invited governors from across the country.

“I wanted to show the people that we can politically disagree, but that doesn’t mean your people should not benefit from development.

“Peter Obi didn’t come to Edo to campaign for me. He did not need to. But I invited him to commission those projects, and I’m happy I did.

“Even today, I do not dislike Obi. Don’t misunderstand me,” he said.