Senator Adams Oshiomhole has dismissed the political strength of Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, insisting that President Bola Tinubu will secure an easy victory if both men face each other in the 2027 presidential election.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made the remarks during an appearance on journalist Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On Podcast, where he criticized Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State and questioned his credibility as an opposition figure.
The former Edo State governor said Nigerians should carefully examine Obi’s performance during his eight years as governor of Anambra before considering him fit to lead the country.
According to him, Obi failed to tackle insecurity in the South-East state, leaving the situation for his successor, former Governor Willie Obiano, to address.
“Peter Obi has no reputation. You cannot take him by his words,” Oshiomhole said.
“Do your research. What was the first major decision Governor Obiano took when he succeeded Obi as Governor of Anambra State? We saw the visuals when Governor Obiano was using bulldozers to bring down the houses of kidnappers and Bakassi boys that got out of control.”
He alleged that criminal activities, particularly kidnapping, became widespread in Anambra during Obi’s administration.
Oshiomhole claimed that the activities of the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group originally established to combat crime, escalated beyond control during Obi’s tenure.
“It took the intervention of Governor Obiano, who took over from him, to begin to destroy the properties of kidnappers and those he believed had used proceeds from kidnapping to build wealth,” he said.
The senator further painted a grim picture of the security situation at the time.
“It got to the point where wife would kidnap husband and husband would kidnap wife and ask the children to bring money. It got to that level,” he alleged.
He noted that he was governor of Edo State during the same period and argued that Edo was safer than Anambra under Obi’s leadership.
“I was a governor then. My state was safer than Anambra under Obi,” he said.
The comments add to the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the fact that political parties have yet to formally begin campaigns.
Since the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi has remained one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures. Running on the platform of the Labour Party, Obi secured strong support, particularly among young Nigerians and urban voters, finishing third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obi has continued to comment on national issues, frequently criticizing the current administration’s handling of the economy, insecurity and governance.
However, Oshiomhole argued that criticism alone is not enough to convince voters.
Referring to Obi’s recent comments against ethnic profiling, the senator said statesmen must go beyond identifying problems and offer practical solutions.
“Look at him recently talking that we shouldn’t do ethnic profiling. Fine. But did he say what we should be doing?” Oshiomhole asked.
“Everybody knows things are not perfect, but a statesman should be providing answers.”
According to him, any serious presidential contender should clearly explain what policies and strategies they intend to introduce if elected.
“Say this man is driving left. If I get the ticket, I will drive right. Then voters can decide which direction they prefer,” he said.
“There has to be specific new tools they will bring. We haven’t heard anything other than this word, ‘Do the right thing.’ What is the right thing? What is the left thing?”
Oshiomhole said he remained convinced that President Tinubu would retain power in 2027 and that the opposition would not enjoy the level of support it received in the last election.
“So, I will vote Tinubu and he will win hands down. These people will not get the kind of votes they got before,” he declared.
A former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oshiomhole served as governor of Edo State from 2008 to 2016 before becoming National Chairman of the APC. He is known for his outspoken views on national politics and governance.
His latest remarks are expected to generate reactions from Obi’s supporters and members of the Labour Party, many of whom have consistently defended the former Anambra governor’s record in office.
Supporters of Obi often point to improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure and prudent financial management during his administration between 2006 and 2014. They also argue that insecurity is a nationwide challenge that cannot be blamed solely on one administration.
As political alignments begin to take shape ahead of 2027, comments by leading figures from both the ruling party and the opposition are likely to intensify.