Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has reignited debate over the opposition’s strategy for the 2027 presidential election, accusing Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of pursuing a political course that ultimately favours President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeyanju made the claim on Saturday in a post on X, drawing a parallel between the political paths of Obi and Kwankwaso in the 2023 election and their current joint bid under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He argued that their separate presidential campaigns in 2023 contributed to the division of opposition votes, with Tinubu emerging as winner, followed by Atiku Abubakar and Obi. According to the official 2023 result cited in the reports, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes, Atiku 6,984,520 and Obi 6,101,533.
Adeyanju therefore warned that the present Obi-Kwankwaso arrangement could produce a similar outcome, alleging that a vote for the NDC ticket would effectively benefit Tinubu and the APC.
“Peter Obi and Kwankwaso are working for Tinubu as they did in 2023. Don’t waste your votes again on them like 2023,” he wrote.
“A vote for them is a vote for Bola Tinubu and the APC. They know exactly what they are doing.”
The latest claim comes against the backdrop of a significantly different political configuration from 2023, when Obi contested under the Labour Party while Kwankwaso was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party. The two politicians are now on the same ticket, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Adeyanju has previously criticised the opposition for failing to build a united political front against the ruling party. In an earlier interview, he argued that opposition politicians had allowed personal ambitions and rivalry to undermine efforts to mount an effective challenge to Tinubu.
His latest intervention also coincides with remarks by Obi in Enugu in which the former Anambra State governor stressed that political opposition did not require personal attacks against the President.
“I’ve never abused anybody. Who has seen me calling President Tinubu’s name? Never! I will not do that. He’s the President of the country, he has all my respect,” Obi said.
Obi’s statement provides a different emphasis from Adeyanju’s criticism, with the NDC candidate focusing on respect for the office of the President despite political disagreements.
The exchange adds another layer to the growing debate over whether Nigeria’s opposition can translate its emerging alliances into a coherent challenge in 2027, particularly after the fragmented contest of 2023. Adeyanju’s claim remains an allegation, while no evidence was provided in the latest post to establish that Obi or Kwankwaso are deliberately acting in Tinubu’s interest.
