Chief Peter Ameh, a former presidential candidate and respected political commentator, has praised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, as an “issue-based politician” who has distinguished himself from the traditional mudslinging culture of Nigerian politics.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics , Ameh defended Obi against allegations that he has “insulted” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political group. According to him, Obi operates with a deliberate policy of restraint, choosing never to insult individuals or mention names in his political discourse.
Ameh explained that Obi’s rhetoric is always directed at systemic challenges such as budget padding, arbitrary allocations, and the embezzlement of public funds rather than personal attacks.
He stressed that Obi’s focus has always been on dismantling the entrenched “culture of criminality” within government structures.
“There’s no time in the history of Peter’s politics that he insults anybody. Go and look at it. In fact, he makes it a policy, he doesn’t mention anybody’s name in his tweets. He doesn’t do name-calling. He doesn’t do mudslinging. There’s no time that he will wake up and say PDP is a criminal party. He will not say that,” Ameh said.
Instead, Ameh clarified, Obi highlights how corruption undermines development and accountability in Nigeria. “What he’s saying is a culture of criminality within our government cycle. Culture of criminality where people budget money arbitrarily and use it for personal use.”
“Culture of criminality where budgets are not used to follow a proper allocation process. Culture of criminality where people embezzle money that is meant for public development. These are the culture of criminality he will talk about. He has never referred to individuals as criminals,” Ameh added.
Peter Obi, who previously served as Governor of Anambra State, has been widely commended for his disciplined, data-driven, and issue-oriented style of engagement.
Unlike many Nigerian politicians who rely on ethnic appeals, personal attacks, or partisan labeling, Obi is seen by supporters as a leader who anchors his arguments in policy proposals and empirical evidence.
This reputation gained greater visibility during the 2023 presidential campaign, where Obi consistently avoided direct confrontation with rival candidates, preferring instead to focus on solutions to Nigeria’s economic and governance crises.
Ameh argued that Obi’s refusal to resort to insults or personal attacks reflects a maturity that Nigeria’s political culture desperately needs.
In a political environment often characterized by heated rhetoric and inflammatory statements, Obi’s restraint, he said, has allowed him to appeal across party lines and social divides.
Political analysts note that this approach has also helped Obi build a loyal support base, particularly among young Nigerians who are eager for leaders that prioritize accountability and development over personal feuds.
While Obi has faced criticisms from opponents who accuse him of evasiveness, Ameh insisted that his methods reflect principle rather than weakness. According to him, by avoiding name-calling, Obi maintains focus on governance challenges and prevents unnecessary distractions.
Chief Ameh’s remarks reinforce Peter Obi’s image as a politician committed to issue-based politics. By refusing to personalize criticisms and instead emphasizing systemic reform, Obi continues to stand out in a political system where mudslinging often overshadows constructive debate.
