Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, on Sunday, warned northerners against placing their political hopes on Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the former Anambra State governor’s history of party defections raises questions about his consistency.
Omokri said this in a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday.
His comment follows Peter Obi’s resignation from the African Democratic Congress on Sunday. Obi had while explaining his resignation noted that the same Nigerian state and its agents, who created what he described as unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party, which forced his exit, now appear to be finding their way into the ADC.
But Omokri, in a swift reaction, alleged that political parties Obi joined were relatively stable before his arrival but later became troubled by internal disputes.
Omokri wrote, “Every party Peter Obi has been in has been relatively crisis-free until Peter joined that party. And as soon as he comes in, peace goes out of that party and strife sets in.
“Once can be a mistake. Twice may be a coincidence. But after the third time, and then the fourth, it becomes a pattern. The parties are not the problem. Peter is the issue.”
Omokri stated that Obi’s repeated movement across political platforms should make northern voters cautious about trusting his political promises.
“Peter Obi has made four very public promises not to leave the four political parties that gave him four platforms to rise to power and prominence. And each time, Mr Obi has broken such promises, providing one flimsy reason after another,” he said.
Omokri further claimed that Obi may be preparing to leave yet another platform.
“In fact, he is gearing up to exit his fourth political party and enter his fifth,” he stated.
Questioning Obi’s promise of a single-term presidency, Omokri asked: “What gives the North any confidence that a serial promise breaker will keep his promise to them to do just one term?
“In carrying out a SWOT analysis of Northern Nigeria, Arewa will realise that out-of-school children, which are leading to a rise in insecurity, are its greatest challenge, while agriculture is its biggest strength.”
Omokri also questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State.
“As such, it is prudent to ask if a man who, as Governor, did not build a single nursery, primary, or secondary school and university, and also did not develop even one small communal garden, talks more of mechanised agriculture, is in a position to add value to Northern Nigeria,” he said.
Throwing his support behind Tinubu, Omokri argued that the North would be better served backing the President in 2027.
He added, “It makes no sense for Northern Nigeria to cast its lot with Peter Obi on the strength of a one-term promise when Arewa has the choice of a performing President Bola Tinubu, who, by law, can only serve one more term.
“Therefore, if Nigeria’s unity is important to you, the only option for 2027 is Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
