Human rights activist and political commentator Deji Adeyanju has explained that he would “prefer President Bola Tinubu to Peter Obi” if both men were to contest against each other in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Adeyanju said his position was not out of loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress, but a reflection of his personal convictions about democracy and political conduct.
Adeyanju stated, “Why would somebody like me support the APC? Support the APC for what? If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote Tinubu.”
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He explained that his position is a result of the behavior of some of Obi’s supporters.
He said, “This is because we cannot have a situation where, a man whose supporters cannot tolerate criticism, call people all sorts of names.”
He further added, “Anybody who does not support their candidate is an enemy of Nigeria. Anybody that does not support the candidate has been paid, has been compromised in supporting the government.”
The activist rejected claims that he was working with the APC to weaken the opposition, insisting that his political interventions have always been “consistent and independent.”
He said he had voted for different candidates in previous elections based on his personal judgment, stating, “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.”
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Adeyanju cited the online attacks and intimidation of people with opposing views as a key reason for his stance. He specifically mentioned what happened to Nollywood actress Joke Silva, saying, “Look at what they did to Joke Silva during the election… But they terrorised that woman, and other people, because she decided to support Tinubu in the last election. People have the right, I have the right.”
He stressed that opposition politics in Nigeria can only succeed if there is unity among the major players, warning that a “divided front would always favour the APC.”
He recalled that he initially found Obi’s candidacy “exciting,” particularly as it represented a chance for the South-East to aspire to the presidency.
He said, “The idea of Obi’s candidacy excited me because the South-East has not produced a president since independence,” but his enthusiasm waned as the campaign progressed.
Adeyanju concluded by emphasizing that his stance against Obi should not be mistaken for partisanship, stating, “Because we cannot have a situation in our country or in our polity where political extremism becomes the order of the day. And Nigerians are living witnesses to the things that eventually happened to the build-up of the last election.”
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