‘Obi is a Political Prostitute, Obidients a Toxic Mob’ — Deji Adeyanju

Punchngs July 29, 2025

‘Obi is a Political Prostitute, Obidients a Toxic Mob’ — Deji Adeyanju

Nigeria News
29.08.2025
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Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has once again stirred up the Nigerian political space with his fiery remarks about the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his supporters widely known as the Obidient movement.

Speaking during a televised interview on Channels Television on Friday, Adeyanju described Obi as a political prostitute and his supporters as a toxic mob who, according to him, have taken political fanaticism to alarming levels.

Adeyanju Alleges Bribery Attempt by Obi

In a shocking revelation, Adeyanju alleged that during the buildup to the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi attempted to offer him money in order to secure his support and influence.
The activist narrated that Obi had persistently sought meetings with him while he was outside the country, eventually facilitated by a journalist who was one of Obi’s aides.
At their meeting, Obi allegedly praised Adeyanju’s political advocacy and suggested that they should work together.

According to Adeyanju:

“As I prepared to leave the meeting, Obi went into another room and returned with an envelope, insisting it was just a small token for coming. I laughed and told him he didn’t know me. I don’t collect such things. If anything, I’m the one who gives out money to support causes. I rejected the offer and left.”

Adeyanju claimed he kept this incident private until Obi’s aides later accused him falsely of demanding N200 million from the Labour Party candidate. He described the allegation as “malicious, untrue, and an attempt to discredit my integrity.”

‘Obi is a Political Prostitute, Obidients a Toxic Mob’ — Deji Adeyanju

Adeyanju further expressed deep concern over the conduct of Obi’s supporters, the Obidient movement, whom he accused of adopting intolerant and bullying tactics.
He alleged that members of the movement threatened judges, harassed public figures, insulted literary icons like Prof. Wole Soyinka, and attacked anyone with dissenting views.In his words:

“After that, the Obidient mobs became practically uncontrollable. They threatened judges, harassed artists, insulted Prof. Wole Soyinka, and attacked anyone who criticised Obi. We had never seen such toxicity in Nigerian politics except under Buhari.”

He described their approach to politics as political terrorism, stressing that democracy thrives only in an atmosphere of tolerance, dialogue, and respect for differing opinions.

Adeyanju also criticized Obi’s political journey, labeling him a political prostitute. He reminded Nigerians of how Obi once swore allegiance to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), declaring that he would never leave the party.
However, Obi later joined the PDP, moved to the Labour Party, and allegedly kept channels open with other political groups.“Didn’t he swear never to leave APGA? Yet he left. Today, he has one leg in PDP, another in ADC, and still in Labour Party. That’s a political prostitute. If he wants to do his worst, let him,” Adeyanju said with emphasis.

Adeyanju accused Obi of presenting himself as a political messiah while engaging in political maneuvers that contradict his public image of integrity and consistency.

Adeyanju Defends His Criticism of Obi

Adeyanju also addressed the threat of lawsuits by Obi’s legal team over his public statements, insisting that he was not afraid of facing them in court. He maintained that truth is a valid defence in any defamation case.
According to him, his criticisms were based on facts and personal experiences, not hearsay.

‘Obi is a Political Prostitute, Obidients a Toxic Mob’ — Deji Adeyanju

“Obi and his lawyers can do their worst. I’m not afraid. I have been to prison before, I have faced trials before. Truth remains my shield, and truth will always be a valid defence,” he said confidently.

Why Adeyanju Spoke Out

The activist emphasized that his interventions were not partisan but rooted in his passion for democracy and accountability.
He reiterated that his political commentaries had always been consistent, independent, and issue-based, cutting across different political parties over the years.

Adeyanju pointed out that in previous elections, he had voted for various candidates across party lines—choosing based on merit rather than loyalty to any political party.
For him, his opposition to Obi was a matter of principle, not political alignment.

Adeyanju’s comments once again highlight the growing polarisation of Nigeria’s political space. The rise of passionate movements like the Obidients has injected energy into opposition politics, but critics like Adeyanju argue that their approach risks undermining democratic tolerance.His allegations against Obi—especially claims of attempted inducement and political inconsistency—are likely to fuel further debates about the former governor’s credibility as a political leader.
At the same time, it underscores the challenges of opposition unity, a factor Adeyanju believes is critical in countering the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Deji Adeyanju’s latest remarks describing Peter Obi as a political prostitute and his followers as a toxic mob reflect the highly charged atmosphere of Nigerian politics.
Whether seen as a bold truth-teller or a controversial critic, Adeyanju’s statements continue to spark debates about political integrity, opposition strategy, and the role of civic activism in Nigeria’s democracy.As the political climate heats up ahead of future elections, these kinds of confrontations will remain central to discussions about leadership, accountability, and the path forward for Nigeria’s democratic journey.