Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has drawn attention with his new political stance. He declared on live television that while he will “never support the APC,” he would still prefer President Bola Tinubu over Peter Obi.
Adeyanju made the statement on Channels Television on Friday morning. He explained that his position is based on his reflections about democracy, tolerance, and political conduct in Nigeria.
“Why would somebody like me support the APC? Support the APC for what? If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote Tinubu.“
The activist rejected claims that he was working with the APC to weaken the opposition, insisting that his political interventions had always been consistent and independent.
He recalled that in previous elections he had voted for different candidates across party lines, based on what he described as his personal judgment of their suitability.
“I have never voted for a bad candidate in my view. In 1999, I voted for Obasanjo. In 2011, I voted for Goodluck Jonathan. In 2015, I voted for Jonathan again because I couldn’t support Buhari, and in 2023, I voted for Omoyele Sowore,” Adeyanju said.
He recalled that he initially found Obi’s candidacy “exciting,” particularly as it represented a chance for the South-East to produce a president, but he later lost enthusiasm for Obi.
He added that his decision to take a firm stance against Obi should not be mistaken for partisanship, emphasising that he remained committed to issue-based politics.
According to him, he is just expressing his views as a Nigerian. He noted that Obi is a fraud, who funnelled state funds into a company in which his family had interests.
“What did I say? That he is a political fraud, parading himself as a messiah. Of course, he is.”
Accuse Obi’s Supporters of Intolerance
The lawyer accused Obi’s supporters of being unable to handle opposing views. Instead of engaging critics, he said they attack with insults and name-calling.
Adeyanju said Obi’s loyalists label anyone who does not support their candidate as corrupt or compromised. He warned that such an approach was unhealthy for democracy.
“Anybody who does not support their candidate is an enemy of Nigeria. Anybody who does not support the candidate has been paid, has been compromised in supporting the government,” he stated.
The activist insisted that democratic values demand tolerance, dialogue, and respect for opposing opinions. Without these, he warned, the opposition risks alienating even neutral voices.
Deji Adeyanju has long been a figure in Nigeria’s civic space. He has led several street protests against bad governance and has been arrested multiple times for his activism, but also at a time faced charges of murder.
A former PDP member, he led campaigns against government’s policies, gaining recognition as a voice of dissent. His latest comment, therefore, shows how even opposition figures are rethinking their choices.
Obi’s Supporters Rise to the Occasion
Adeyanju’s remarks are already drawing angry reactions from Obi’s support base.
Reacting, civil rights activist Aisha Yesuf demanded evidence from Adeyanju to back up the name-calling. She said she’d be “interested in the evidence the Barrister has” that Obi is fraudulent.
“I would not be one to give support to anyone that is fraudulent so this case will offer me and millions of others the opportunity to have access to the evidence Barrister Deji has so we know whether to continue our support for Mr Peter Obi or withdraw it,” Yesufu said.
One of Adeyanju’s allegations against Obi, perhaps, is the rehashing of the old tale that Obi invested state funds into SABMiller Brewery. The South African-founded brewery was established with investment from Anambra State funds during Obi’s tenure.
Specifically, Obi is said to have invested $21 million of state funds in the brewery, with allegations suggesting his family also had a stake in the company.
SABMiller Brewery is a significant investment for Anambra State, with an estimated current worth of about $100 million. It is also credited with hundreds of direct and indirect jobs created and is the sixth-largest taxpayer in the state.
Obi has maintained that the investment was made for the state’s benefit, stating he had nothing to do with the company after leaving office.
Yesufu retorted, “If Mr Peter Obi had used machinery of the State to get Barrister Deji arrested and thrown into jail like many of the dictators we fight are doing, then I would be leading a #FreeDejiAdeyanju and calling out Mr Peter Obi“
Nonetheless, political watchers have seen a rise in media attacks on Peter Obi as 2027 draws nearer. His supporters claim he was robbed of the last election in 2023, and are smarting for an electoral showdown against incumbent President Tinubu, if Obi gets the presidential ticket of his party.
Do you agree with Adeyanju that intolerance among political supporters poses a bigger threat than bad governance itself? Or do you side with Yesufu, demanding evidence from opponents of the candidate? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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