Presidential aide questions Obi’s philanthropy and Labour Party roots
Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has launched a fresh critique of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, questioning both his credibility as a philanthropist and his ideological alignment with the party he represented.
Speaking during an interview on The Clarity Zone Podcast on Wednesday, Bwala described Obi as a “capitalist masquerading as a labour leader,” and accused him of exploiting the frustrations of Nigerian youths during the 2023 elections without genuinely aligning with the principles of the Labour Party, which is traditionally known for championing socialist and pro-worker ideals.
“No record of real philanthropy,” Bwala claims
Bwala dismissed Obi’s public image as a generous businessman with a heart for the poor, insisting that there is no substantial record of philanthropic investments attributed to the former Anambra State governor.
“Peter Obi is a billionaire, a multi-billionaire. There is no record that Peter has floated a foundation or school — anything that supports the public interest — and funded it to serve the masses. Not a single one,” Bwala said.
He went further to discredit reports of large donations by Obi, suggesting that the highest known contribution Obi ever made was no more than ₦50 million, and even that, Bwala claimed, came with conditions.
“He has never given beyond ₦50 million, and I can tell you the circumstances behind that one too. He never gave ₦100 million to anybody,” Bwala added.
Boreholes from the “caveman era”
The presidential aide also mocked Obi’s efforts at providing water in northern communities after the 2023 election, describing the boreholes he reportedly donated as outdated and inadequate.
“Those boreholes are like caveman-day boreholes — the kind you have to bounce on before you get water,” he said, suggesting that Obi’s interventions were not only insufficient but symbolically backward.
Bwala questions Obi’s Labour Party credentials
Bwala did not stop at Obi’s philanthropy. He also questioned his ideological fit with the Labour Party, a platform rooted in the protection of workers’ rights and social justice.
“Peter Obi is a capitalist. He believes in the free market and profit-driven enterprise. There’s nothing socialist about Peter Obi,” he stated.
He challenged supporters to name a single instance where Obi stood with Nigerian workers or participated in labour strikes, student movements, or social protests.
“Even during EndSARS, where was Peter Obi? Did he show up at any rally? Has he ever joined a protest in solidarity with students or workers?” Bwala asked.
Accuses Obi of exploiting youth anger and churches
Bwala also likened Obi’s campaign strategy to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing the Labour Party candidate of riding on public discontent rather than proposing clear policy alternatives.
“He just saw the youth were angry, and he rode on that anger,” Bwala said. “They were even proud to say, ‘we no dey give shishi,’ because the youths were funding the campaign themselves.”
In addition, Bwala criticized Obi’s heavy engagement with religious groups during the campaign period, alleging that the former governor used churches as political tools and abandoned them after the election.
“He went to every church — Holy Ghost night, prophetic vigils. But after the elections, he disappeared. In my own church, we had Shiloh, and I told my pastor, ‘Peter Obi no dey go Shiloh again,’” Bwala said mockingly.
Background: Obi’s controversial rise within the Labour Party
Peter Obi joined the Labour Party in 2022 after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His campaign under the “Obidient Movement” attracted massive support from Nigerian youths, first-time voters, and churchgoers who viewed him as a fresh alternative to the political establishment.
Although the Labour Party traditionally aligns itself with socialist and pro-worker ideologies, critics like Bwala argue that Obi’s personal wealth, capitalist background, and business-first policies are incongruent with the party’s core values.
Despite these criticisms, Obi remains a significant political force in Nigeria, with many of his supporters still hopeful that he represents a new generation of leadership.
