2027: Why I would prefer Tinubu over Peter Obi – Adeyanju

Self-styled human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has explained why he would prefer President Bola Tinubu to Peter Obi if both men were to contest against each other in the 2027 elections.

According to Adeyanju, his position is not out of loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress but a reflection of his personal convictions about democracy, tolerance, and political conduct.

“If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote Tinubu. This is because we cannot have a situation where a man whose supporters cannot tolerate criticism, call people all sorts of names,” Adeyanju said in an interview on Channels Television.

He expressed concern over the behaviour of some of Obi’s supporters during the last election, alleging that many resorted to online attacks and intimidation of those with dissenting views.

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“Anybody who does not support their candidate is an enemy of Nigeria. Anybody that does not support the candidate has been paid, has been compromised in supporting the government,” he added.

Adeyanju cited the example of actress Joke Silva, who was allegedly terrorized by Obi’s supporters for supporting Tinubu in the last election.

“Look at what they did to Joke Silva during the election. They had artists and Nollywood people supporting them. Nobody terrorised those people. But they terrorised that woman, and other people, because she decided to support Tinubu in the last election. People have the right, I have the right.”

The activist emphasised the need to “sanitise our polity” and promote democratic values, tolerance, and free expression.

He stressed that opposition politics in Nigeria could only succeed if there was unity among the major players, warning that a divided front would always favour the APC.

Adeyanju noted that he initially found Obi’s candidacy “exciting”, but his enthusiasm waned as the campaign progressed.

“The idea of Obi’s candidacy excited me because the South-East has not produced a president since independence.”

However, he couldn’t reconcile with some of the things he observed in the movement.

The lawyer reiterated that his decision to take a firm stance against Obi should not be mistaken for partisanship, emphasising that he remained committed to issue-based politics.

“Because we cannot have a situation in our country or in our polity where political extremism becomes the order of the day. And Nigerians are living witnesses to the things that eventually happened to the build-up of the last election,” he said.