A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Dr. Segun Showunmi, has criticised former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing him as “extremely lazy” and lacking seriousness in leadership and strategic thinking.
Showunmi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme on Saturday, while discussing the state of opposition politics and prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly the PDP’s positioning and Obi’s political choices.
He lamented that the PDP has largely lost influence outside the South and is now relying heavily on the region, with Obi viewed as the party’s “last card.”
“PDP has placed its hands completely in the South. The only card they can play, ironically, is Peter Obi,” Showunmi said.
However, he argued that Obi lacks a clear path to victory and has made poor strategic decisions by leaving established political platforms. According to Showunmi, Obi’s approach demonstrates laziness in structural thinking and leadership responsibility.
“Peter is not serious. He doesn’t even know where his pathway to victory is. Every time he has to move, there is always someone else making decisions. I don’t deal with that kind of laziness,” he said.
Showunmi further criticised Obi’s alliances with other political actors, claiming the former Anambra governor would struggle to win party primaries in such settings. He cited the institutional strength of politicians like Atiku Abubakar and warned against underestimating entrenched political interests within major parties.
He also questioned Obi’s ability to manage the political energy and support base he gained in the 2023 elections. “If your numbers are 6 million animated supporters, do you not understand that leaders must manage their house?” Showunmi asked.
While acknowledging Obi’s popularity and the enthusiasm of his supporters, Showunmi argued that the former governor lacks organisational capacity. “Peter isn’t capable of organising anything beyond this show he does across the world. But there is still animated energy, and luckily for him, some entitlement legitimacy,” he noted.
Turning to the PDP, Showunmi said the party has suffered since losing support from the South-East and Obi’s departure. He stressed that while efforts to reconcile with the South-East could restore grassroots strength, Obi should not assume the region’s political influence belongs exclusively to him, noting the emergence of new power centres in the area.
“Every election needs to be re-measured. The South-East cannot keep suffering because of the ambition of one person. Leaders like Dave Umahi and Soludo are now shaping the region’s political landscape,” he added.
Showunmi’s comments contribute to the ongoing debate over opposition strategy and leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and political actors reposition themselves for a competitive contest.
