Sowore Slams Peter Obi Over Inaction, Questions His Role as Opposition Leader

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has openly criticized Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, questioning his effectiveness as an opposition leader in Nigeria’s current political landscape. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Sowore claimed Obi has not done enough to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration or stand against its policies.

Sowore expressed disappointment that despite Obi’s claims of winning the 2023 presidential election, he failed to rally his large base of “Obidient” supporters to defend his mandate. According to him, Obi’s silence and inaction in the face of major government decisions, like the fuel subsidy removal, suggests he is not acting like a genuine opposition figure.

In his words, “Peter Obi is not opposed to anything that the Government is doing. Peter Obi did not even organize his own supporters to fight for his election victory he claimed. He did not fight when they increased fuel price, he has never done anything that opposition people do.”

Sowore drew comparisons with political figures like Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, and Nasir El-Rufai, who, in their time as opposition leaders, led protests and publicly challenged government policies. He urged Obi to follow suit and take bold actions that truly reflect opposition leadership.

“You say you are opposition, do what opposition does now, you can’t do. The only thing you can say is that there was no need for a protest in 2012, where are the people, are they dead? If the people in 2012 are dead or have slowed down, what happened to you with six million voters, put them on the street. Even if you can’t put 6 million people on the street, put 60,000 people on the street of Abuja and see how the Government will take you serious,” Sowore challenged.

His comments have fueled a national debate over the role of opposition in a democracy. While some defend Obi’s legal approach to contesting the election outcome, others side with Sowore, arguing that true opposition must include visible resistance and public mobilization when the government goes astray.

As Nigeria navigates the post-election political climate, questions linger about how far opposition leaders should go in holding the government accountable. Sowore’s remarks serve as a wake-up call, demanding more assertive action from those who claim to represent the people.