Social commentator and human rights activist, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, lacks the qualities required to lead Nigeria, arguing that his politics is divisive and driven by what he described as an online “mob.”

Awosanya made the remarks during an interview on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, where he spoke on the state of the nation, the 2027 general election and Obi’s presidential ambition.

Describing the former Anambra State governor, Segalink said Obi had built his political appeal around public anger rather than national leadership.

“It is obvious to the blind and audible to the deaf, that somebody who is playing to the gallery, who postures as one thing and is actually another should be revealed for who they are,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, Peter Obi is just a leader of the mob, somebody who is surfing the wave of the angry people… to demonize people and blackmail people in order to gain attention to themselves, and then bully themselves into political power.”

Responding to a question on whether his criticism stemmed from his perceived disagreement with Obi’s supporters, Awosanya dismissed the suggestion, saying he had no personal conflict with the Obidient movement.

“There’s no friction between me and anybody. I don’t even recognize them as anything. I’m focused on what I’m doing,” he said.

He alleged that members of the Obidient movement attempted to hijack the #EndSARS protests for political purposes.

“If you look at the antecedent of the Obidient group, they were one of the cancerous nodes within the EndSARS advocacy… they wanted to use the movement for their own game. And when they failed, they demonised everybody within the system,” he claimed.

Awosanya also explained why he had previously spoken positively about Obi before becoming one of his critics.

“When I commended Peter Obi, I commended him because he was at the time speaking to issues that border on vulnerable individuals in the country,” he said, adding that his earlier comments were “not promotion” but an observation.

He, however, maintained that Obi was unfit for the presidency because of what he described as his divisive political record.

“When I eventually conclude that he cannot be president is because of his divisiveness… He brought Christians against Catholics when he was governor, and he did a lot of things that he’s preaching against today. Evidence are there,” Awosanya said.

He further argued that widespread narratives on social media should not be mistaken for facts, adding, “The fact that the lie is viral doesn’t make it the truth.”

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have renewed their exchange over security and policing in the state.

The latest disagreement is coming after the recent fact-finding visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke, who said residents expected impartial policing before, during and after the election, urged the police to implement measures that would guarantee fairness and public confidence.

The governor commended the Inspector-General’s visit, saying it provided an opportunity for all political parties and community stakeholders to present their positions on the security situation in the state.

According to Adeleke, “the discussions during the visit should guide the immediate implementation of agreed measures aimed at ensuring non-partisan law enforcement across Osun State.

“We appreciate the visit of the Inspector General of Police and that of the Deputy Inspector General a week earlier. The facts are out in the public domain. The IGP has heard and read from both parties.”

Adeleke added that the Commissioner of Police in Osun should remain impartial in the investigation and prosecution of cases of political violence adding that such an approach was necessary to sustain public confidence in the police.

“We seek the arrest of any law breaker irrespective of their political affiliation. Those who commit crimes should be arrested and prosecuted. We harbour no thugs in Government House or anywhere,” he stated.

The governor also called on security agencies to provide a secure environment for voters, adding that killings and attacks were not conducive to the exercise of democratic rights. He pledged his administration’s continued support for security agencies while insisting that the government sought only fair, impartial policing.

Meanwhile, the Osun APC said the Inspector-General’s remarks during his visit supported its earlier allegation that individuals accused of criminal activities were being sheltered within the Osun Government House.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed that the Inspector-General had directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to professionally address the allegation.

The opposition party alleged that, “any police action should extend beyond the Government House if investigations required it. Suspected political hoodlums had been shielded from arrest.”

The APC also criticised comments previously made by Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, describing his response to the Inspector-General’s remarks as “misplaced” and a mere afterthought.

The party accused the state government of politicising security matters and insisted that law enforcement agencies should thoroughly investigate all allegations relating to political violence in the state.

By Nkiruka Nnorom, with agency reports

United States would closely watch Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that Washington’s security and financial support would be tied to issues of religious freedom and conduct of the polls. 

US Congressman, Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, disclosed this in an interview with NoireTV yesterday.

Responding to questions on Nigeria’s next elections, Moore said the conduct of the polls was now a priority for Washington. 

“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. And that’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he stated. 

Moore revealed that the US House of Representatives was considering an appropriations bill with strong and aggressive language on Nigeria. 

“We’re working on Chris Smith’s bill, which obviously I’m a co-sponsor. But I’d say, more importantly, is the appropriations bill that we’re going to have on the floor,” the lawmaker said. According to him, the bill contains provisions on “the persecution of Christians and restrictions on security assistance to the government of Nigeria, and steps they have to take.

“That bill’s likely to become law. We’re about to, hopefully, pass that. And so there’s some pretty strong and aggressive language in that bill that’s going to be binding as it relates to our relationship to Nigeria moving forward.’’

The congressman said he remained in direct engagement with the Trump administration on Nigeria and would raise the issues again at a scheduled dinner with the President. 

“I continue to work with the administration on next steps that we’re going to take. I’m actually going to see President Trump tonight. 

‘’I’ll be having dinner with him and some other members, so yeah, I continue to talk to him about these issues, and it’s very important to him,” Moore said.