Catholic priest, Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, has weighed in on the political prospects of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stressing that much of the commentary surrounding him is more mockery than serious political analysis.
In a recent post shared on his official Facebook page, Fr. Ugwu expressed frustration at how young Nigerians frequently use Obi’s political chances as a tool for ridicule directed at him.
Quoting the popular refrain often thrown at him, he wrote:
“Obi will never become the president of Nigeria, mark my words.”
The priest further noted that those who repeat such assertions typically dismiss Obi’s prospects by predicting that his electoral performance would not differ from previous attempts.
“Obi will come third in the election as usual, you people are just playing,” he added.
Mockery Rather Than Analysis
Fr. Ugwu clarified that these statements are rarely rooted in honest political debate or critical thought about Nigeria’s future. Instead, he argued, they are delivered in jest, often as a means of mocking him rather than engaging with Obi’s vision or the realities of the country’s electoral landscape.
“These are words young people throw at me as mockery,” he stressed, insisting that such remarks lack seriousness. He also observed that some individuals frame Obi’s presidential aspirations in a way that makes it appear as though supporting him is a charitable gesture or mere favour, rather than a legitimate political choice.
By highlighting this trend, Fr. Ugwu raised concerns about the quality of political discourse in Nigeria, warning that reducing such conversations to jokes or taunts trivializes the democratic process.
