2027 : Why I’ll vote Tinubu if Obi emerges opposition presidential candidate – Deji Adeyanju

Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has declared that he would cast his vote for President Bola Tinubu if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Adeyanju addressed whether his comments were aimed at discrediting Obi.

“God forbid that I support APC. If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote for Tinubu,” he said.

The tension between Obi and Adeyanju recently escalated to the courts after the 64-year-old politician, via his legal team, threatened to sue the activist for allegedly publishing defamatory statements on social media and in interviews.

Adeyanju, however, brushed off the legal notice, expressing readiness to confront Obi in court.

He also accused Obi of fostering a hostile political environment, highlighting the conduct of some “Obidient” supporters online.

“We cannot have a man who leads a mob that terrorises people online and cannot tolerate criticism, who calls people all sorts of names. Anybody who cannot support their candidate is seen as an enemy of Nigeria or has been paid to do so. That is not democracy,” Adeyanju stated.

He further questioned Obi’s commitment to democratic principles, asserting that the politician has not made sacrifices comparable to those of others for Nigeria’s democracy.

“What sacrifices has he made for democracy? Many of us have put our lives on the line at great personal cost. We must sanitise our polity. We cannot have a country where people who terrorise others online dictate the tone of political discourse,” he argued.

Reflecting on his voting record, Adeyanju said he has consistently supported candidates he believes to be credible. “In my opinion, I have never voted for a bad candidate. In 1999, I voted for Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2011, I voted for Goodluck Jonathan. In 2015, I voted for Jonathan again, against the so-called lovers of democracy who wanted Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.