The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted sharply to the exit of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing him as a “political nomad” and an “opportunistic fellow.”
Obi had on Sunday, May 3, announced his departure from the ADC in a lengthy statement shared on his official X handle, citing what he described as a “toxic political environment,” internal distrust, and sustained pressure within the party.
In the statement, Obi said his decision was not driven by personal grievances against party leaders.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them,” he said.
He also lamented what he described as increasing hostility in Nigeria’s political space.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi Dumps ADC, Blames Toxic Politics, Internal Crises
“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people,” Obi added.
Reacting on Sunday via his X handle, Onanuga dismissed Obi’s explanation, accusing him of inconsistency and political opportunism.
“We told you so. The political nomad is on the move again. Ignore all those puerile reasons he gave in these illogical musings, a self-serving letter to his mob. Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly, an opportunistic fellow,” he wrote.
He further argued that Obi avoids internal political contests and resorts to blaming others when challenges arise.
“He can’t fight Atiku or Amaechi for the ticket of ADC. He pursues the easy road, that will only lead him to doom, like in 2023. He always blames the government without doing a soul-searching of himself. Welcome, Peter to the 2027 race,” Onanuga added.
Obi, who previously left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before contesting the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party platform, had only recently aligned with the ADC amid ongoing opposition coalition talks ahead of 2027.
His exit now raises fresh questions about the stability of emerging opposition alliances, including the informal Obi-Kwankwaso political understanding that had been discussed among supporters of both camps.