As the 2023 presidential elections draw closer, divergent views have emerged in response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate. In a New Year’s Day statement, Obasanjo criticized the current President Muhammadu Buhari administration and praised Obi, stating that he was youthful, had the ability to unite the country, was willing to rescue Nigeria from economic collapse, and was a good listener.
In the past three days, Obi has also been endorsed by elder statesmen Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have criticized these endorsements, with APC member Bola Ahmed Tinubu calling Obasanjo a “political paperweight” and PDP member Rabiu Kwankwaso advising Obasanjo to “stop disgracing himself.”
ALSO READ: Obasanjo doesn’t know the way forward – Tinubu slams Obasanjo over Peter Obi’s endorsement
In response, Balami, Deputy Campaign Manager 1 of the Obi-Datti Campaign Council, defended Obasanjo, pointing out that Buhari had celebrated and praised Obasanjo for endorsing him in 2015. Balami also dismissed the critiques of the APC and PDP as “self-deceit,” stating that Nigerians are tired and have made up their minds to take back their country. Balami concluded by encouraging the APC and PDP to be honest with themselves
