Convener of the Alternative Movement, Segun Sowunmi, has criticised Peter Obi’s campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the former Anambra State governor as a “master of empty campaign” and questioning the details behind some of his policy proposals.
Sowunmi made the remarks while featuring on TVC’s Politics programme, where he discussed the 2027 presidential race and the campaigns of Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
According to Sowunmi, Obi’s political appeal is partly driven by calls for greater equity for the South-East, which he noted has not produced a president in the current democratic era.
“For all of this filibustering, jumping here, jumping there, the greatest thing you can bring to the table emotionally is the need for us to do equity for the South-East, because they have not been president, at least in this republic,” he said.
However, Sowunmi questioned some of Obi’s claims about governance, particularly his record as governor of Anambra State.
He also referred to the debate over the state’s financial obligations under successive administrations, saying claims attributed to Obi that his administration did not leave debts had been disputed by subsequent administrations.
“All his successors from time have been saying that’s not the true position of thing. That does not mean the things he’s saying are totally correct,” he said.
Sowunmi subsequently questioned the level of detail in Obi’s campaign proposals, particularly his call for Nigeria to move from a consumption-based economy to one driven by production.
“In any case, what is he campaigning on? Peter is a master of campaigning on a prose that he doesn’t even know how to construct,” Sowunmi said.
He challenged Obi to explain how some of the proposed policies would be funded and implemented, as well as the timelines for achieving them.
“When you try to listen deep, okay, what does he mean?” he asked, while questioning how the proposal would translate into increased agricultural production.
Sowunmi also questioned Obi’s arguments about the agricultural potential of Niger State, asking how a government would provide incentives and mobilise farmers on the scale envisaged.
“By what magic is he going to force them to the farm? By what magic is he going to ensure? By what magic is he going to do the incentive? What is the cost component of what he’s trying to do? What is the time frame by which he will implement it?” he asked.
He further argued that presidential policy proposals must take into consideration the constitutional and institutional processes involved in governance, including the National Assembly and the civil service.
“He will not consider that he’s going to have a National Assembly that has to pass the budget. He will not consider the bureaucracy,” Sowunmi said.
His comments come as Obi, Atiku and other opposition figures intensify their political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sowunmi has previously commented on Obi’s political prospects and has publicly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
