Stunch Obidient, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, for condemning the protests against Goodluck Jonathan during his time as President.
Obidients are supporters of Peter Obi, who formed a broad social and political movement to support his candidacy in the last election.
It would be recalled that Peter Obi criticised the protests when the fuel pump price increased from ₦87 to ₦120 per litre under Goodluck Jonathan.
Obi made his comments at the memorial lecture and day of tribute for the late Niger Delta leader, Pa Edwin Clark, in Abuja on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
“Where are those who, in 2012/13, protested vigorously when increases in fuel, exchange rate, food, and transport prices were moderate and manageable under President Jonathan?”
“Where are those who called President Jonathan all sorts of names—‘clueless,’ ‘corrupt,’ ‘ineffective,’ and ‘lifeless government’? Where are they now that the prices of everything have increased tenfold?” Obi quipped.
Reacting Yesufu who is a known supporter of Obi said, “First of all, I’m going to start with where Mr. Peter Obi said there was no need to protest during Jonathan’s time. I think that’s a very wrong allusion to have —like there’s no need to protest.”
She continued, “Let’s look at Nigeria, for example, and let’s look at countries in other parts of the world where they are doing very well. People are protesting every day. There’s never a time where there’s no need to protest.”
“And if Mr. Obi thinks he’s gonna get into office and think people will not protest no matter how good he is, then he should drop that.”
“What Peter Obi needs to understand, and what everybody needs to understand, is that at that time, people were protesting against ₦120. The ₦900 of today was in the future. Nobody protests for the future,” she argued.
“If there was any time a protest should have happened, it was during Jonathan,” Yesufu added.
Similarly, activist Omoyele Sowore had earlier fired back at Obi, accusing him of dishonesty regarding his past involvement in the administration of former President Jonathan.
Sowore, critical of Obi’s stance on the 2012 anti-subsidy protests, questioned the former Anambra State governor’s credibility, especially in light of his alleged involvement in business dealings with figures like Diezani Alison-Madueke during Jonathan’s tenure.
Sowore also took issue with Obi’s current position on economic protests, suggesting that if Obi had downplayed the importance of past protests, he should hold the same view regarding the current administration’s policies.
“Why should the Tinubu administration not hold the same view, after all, they claim that their economic policies are for the good of Nigerians, even though our people are dying in droves?” Sowore said in a statement.
In a related matter, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, also responded to Obi’s criticisms, particularly regarding the last governorship election in Edo.
Okpebholo’s spokesman, Fred Itua, dismissed Obi’s comments as “unfounded and disrespectful,” insisting the election would be conducted transparently.
Okpebholo’s office urged Obi to respect the democratic process in Edo and contribute positively to political discourse, rather than undermining the integrity of the election.
He said, “The Edo State Governorship Election was conducted by the highest standards of electoral integrity, as observed by both local and international observers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensured a level playing field, and the process was widely acknowledged as credible.
“Mr. Obi’s pronouncements are not supported by any credible evidence and appear to be driven by political expediency rather than a genuine concern for democratic principles. Regrettably, a figure of his standing would choose to undermine the democratic process with such baseless allegations.
“The Edo State Government urges Mr. Obi to retract his statements and respect the mandate freely given by the people of Edo State. We implore him to contribute constructively to the nation’s democratic discourse rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.”.
“The peace and stability of Edo State are paramount, and Governor Monday Okpebholo will not allow anyone to jeopardise the hard-earned democratic gains made so far. The people of Edo State have spoken, and their voice must be respected.”
