Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has described the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, as a trader, questioning his economic policies and capacity to offer Nigerians an alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and All Progressives Congress member, made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He argued that Obi’s approach to leadership was driven by short-term economic considerations rather than long-term national development.
“Peter Obi has not offered any alternative. I think it is you or someone else who asked him for security, what will you do differently? He said, it’s in his heart.
“I have always said that Peter Obi is a trader. The logic of a trader is short-term turnover,” he said.
Contrasting Obi’s approach with Tinubu’s leadership, Oshiomhole said a statesman should prioritise the interests of future generations and build institutions that would serve them.
He questioned whether Obi would retain some of the policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly the student loan scheme, and whether he would return Nigeria to a multiple exchange rate regime if elected president.
“Will you abolish the student loan scheme? You think President Tinubu will have introduced a student loan if he thought every Nigerian parent can afford it? Will the new people come who are looking for the job, would they abolish it?” he asked.
Oshiomhole also questioned Obi’s position on fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the former Anambra governor had made contradictory statements on the policy.
He recalled that Obi had supported subsidy removal but later appeared to differ with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who advocated its restoration.
