Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has distanced himself from verbal attacks and online insults allegedly carried out by some supporters of the Obidient movement against leaders within Nigeria’s opposition coalition, insisting that such actions do not represent his values or political style.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interaction with members of the movement at its secretariat, Obi said he has never encouraged abuse, name-calling or hostility toward fellow opposition figures, stressing that politics must be driven by respect, ideas and national interest.
Obi, now a key figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he maintains cordial and respectful relationships with major actors in the opposition coalition and would not support any attempt to undermine them through personal attacks.
According to him, individuals who insult leaders in his name are acting on their own and should not be mistaken for genuine members of the Obidient movement.
“Most of what you hear is from criminals who are not obedient people,” Obi said. “You don’t see us calling people bad names. I have never called anyone a bad name, and I will never do so.”
He urged members of the ADC and supporters across the coalition to treat one another with dignity, warning that abusive language only fuels division and weakens the opposition’s collective strength.
“We are in the ADC and we must respect everyone there. Calling people names is not what we stand for. I don’t support it and I’m not part of it,” he said.
Obi also highlighted his long-standing personal and political relationships with several leading opposition figures, describing them as colleagues, brothers and elders he holds in high esteem.
“People like Atiku Abubakar are my leaders and respected elder brothers. Amaechi is my brother, and we are very close. So is Nasir el-Rufai. Liyel Imoke, John Oyegun, Rauf Aregbesola — these are my colleagues. How can I speak badly about them?” he asked.
He assured his supporters that his political focus remains on addressing Nigeria’s most urgent challenges, not engaging in personality clashes within the opposition.
“We should be talking about out-of-school children, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and the rising cases of kidnappings, where even worshippers in churches and mosques are being abducted. That should be our concern,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also suggested that some individuals were deliberately attempting to tarnish his image by linking him to abusive rhetoric he does not endorse.
“Some elements are doing this to hurt the Peter Obi brand. That is not what politics should be about,” he added.
Obi’s comments come amid reports of growing internal tensions within the ADC as leading opposition figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Both Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have openly indicated interest in contesting the presidency.
The emerging contest has also sparked debate among supporters over zoning arrangements, with many Obi loyalists advocating that the presidential ticket remain in the South, while Atiku’s supporters argue for an open and competitive selection process.
Earlier this year, Atiku cautioned supporters of opposition leaders against trading insults, warning that such behaviour only benefits the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
On January 20, Atiku said anyone who attacks him or Obi in the name of politics does not have the interest of the opposition coalition or Nigeria at heart. He later reiterated, on January 6, that no aspirant within the ADC would be forced to step down ahead of 2027, assuring that all qualified candidates would be allowed to contest freely once the party formally begins its selection process.
