Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has launched a scathing attack on Peter Obi and the Labour Party, describing them as a “short rental” political arrangement incapable of challenging Nigeria’s entrenched political order.
In a recent interview, Sowore dismissed the notion that Obi represents any meaningful opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He likened the Labour Party to an Airbnb rental, suggesting that Obi’s political influence was temporary and transactional rather than rooted in genuine revolutionary intent.
Sowore argued that much of Obi’s momentum during the 2023 elections was driven by religious sentiment rather than policy or ideological opposition. He pointed to the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a key factor that created fear among Christian voters, which positioned Peter Obi as the default Christian response. However, Sowore emphasized that this reactionary support does not amount to real opposition.
“The APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket created fear among Christian voters. Peter Obi became the default Christian response. But that’s not real opposition-it’s reactive politics,” Sowore stated.
He further criticized Obi for failing to mobilize his supporters effectively after the elections, noting the absence of protests or sustained resistance against government policies such as price increases. Sowore contrasted this with other opposition figures who have actively protested, faced arrests, and continued to speak out despite repression.
Sowore also highlighted internal challenges within the Labour Party, accusing some members of lacking genuine commitment to opposition by defecting to the APC. He suggested that the party’s opposition role is largely symbolic and benefits the ruling administration by posing no serious threat.
His remarks underscore ongoing debates about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s opposition parties and the difficulties of building sustained political alternatives in a landscape dominated by established power structures.
