Human rights lawyer Ayo Sogunro has reacted to a recent X (formerly Twitter) post that praised Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, for his tireless schedule and continued public engagement. Obi, who contested in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, has remained highly active in public life, frequently making headlines with his work across Nigeria and even beyond its borders.
Sogunro’s response highlighted that Obi’s dedication is unlike anything seen in Nigerian politics since 1999. He pointed out that Obi’s continuous public engagement, more than a year after the presidential election, is a significant departure from the norm. Typically, candidates who lose a presidential election in Nigeria tend to either disappear from the public eye or only resurface as the next election cycle approaches.
“This is the first time since 1999 that a candidate who lost a presidential election continued to work and publicly engage (over a year later), and not just disappear totally or just to show up four years later,” Sogunro remarked.
He also emphasized that Obi’s persistent presence in national and international discussions has placed pressure on other political parties, especially the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). According to Sogunro, Obi’s involvement has spurred the PDP to adopt a more policy-driven approach in opposition, unlike the traditional methods of criticism without much actionable policy direction. “His continuing engagement has forced the PDP to be a more policy-involved opposition party this time around,” he noted….Find–>More