Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has accused Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), of fostering what he described as a movement of “political extremists,” claiming the former Anambra State governor has failed to take responsibility for the actions of some of his supporters.
Bwala made the remarks during an interview on TVC’s Politics on Sunday while responding to questions about his repeated criticism of Obi.
Dismissing claims that he was overly focused on the former presidential candidate, Bwala said he only reacts after comments from Obi’s supporters prompt media organisations to seek his response.
“Every time, his people are the first to talk, the media houses will ask us to react. But the narrative peddled by the media is as if we wake up from sleep and we are looking for Peter Obi,” he said.
He also insisted that Obi posed no political challenge to President Bola Tinubu.
“Obi is inconsequential… Peter Obi is not a match to Asiwaju. All the governors that have governed in Lagos have all done better than Peter Obi. So, Peter Obi is not a match,” Bwala said.
The presidential aide further alleged that the former Anambra governor had introduced a troubling trend into Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Peter Obi introduced into our politics a very dangerous phenomenon. He is building a movement that will be no far different from bandits,” he said, alleging that some of Obi’s supporters recently circulated false reports claiming he had died.
When asked to explain his comparison between Obidients and bandits, Bwala clarified that he was referring to political extremism.
“They are political extremists,” he stated.
To support his claim, Bwala cited an incident involving a member of the Obidient movement who faced online criticism after meeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
“These people wanted to eat him alive. When he called their bluff, Peter Obi flew from Lagos and went and met him. Do you know these people were online abusing him? But when Peter Obi went to meet him, he said it is the opposition abusing him,” Bwala alleged.
He further accused Obi of repeatedly distancing himself from the actions of his supporters.
“He has never accepted the responsibility of the conduct of his people. He has always said it is the opposition,” Bwala said.