Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has ignited political controversy by comparing allies of President Bola Tinubu to the late military ruler Sani Abacha, accusing them of undermining human rights more severely than Abacha’s regime from 1993 to 1998.
Obi’s remarks came amid reports of alleged government interference in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party and rising insecurity, including the recent deadly attacks in Plateau State.
The comments drew immediate backlash from Tinubu supporters. Former Minister Femi Fani-Kayode condemned Obi’s statement as “despicable,” claiming Obi supported Abacha and issuing a strong verbal rebuke. Obi, however, dismissed the criticism, characterizing his comments as part of a minor business meeting.
Supporters of Obi point to over 10,000 deaths linked to banditry and insecurity during Tinubu’s administration, as well as the detention of protesters, as justification for his comparison. Critics, meanwhile, argue that Obi’s remarks show tribal insensitivity and disrespect to NADECO’s historical struggle against Abacha’s dictatorship, which included executions and looting.
The incident highlights Nigeria’s deepening political divisions as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections, underscoring the contentious nature of public discourse and the volatility of opposition-government relations.
