A close associate of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has revealed that some of Obi’s colleagues in the business and banking sectors are avoiding him in public due to fear of potential backlash from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Moses Paul, an aide to Obi, shared this during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica.
Paul recounted an incident in Kigali, Rwanda, where Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote and other prominent entrepreneurs intentionally distanced themselves from Obi during a conference.
He explained, “There was a time I traveled to Rwanda with Mr. Peter Obi. Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other top Nigerian businessmen were in Kigali for a conference. You wouldn’t believe that people who were friends with Peter Obi in the banking sector were avoiding being seen with him because they feared retribution from the Tinubu administration against them or their businesses.”
Paul expressed dismay over such behavior, noting, “It’s alarming that in the 21st century, individuals are hesitant to associate with an opposition leader due to concerns about government retaliation. This is particularly disheartening coming from a country like Nigeria, which represents the hope of the black race.”
Peter Obi was the second runner-up in the 2023 presidential election, finishing behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who emerged victorious.