Fresh political drama has erupted in Nigeria’s opposition camp after a former supporter of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, publicly explained why he withdrew his support and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The man at the center of the controversy, James Kitiya, stirred conversations online after he was seen wearing a cap bearing Tinubu’s insignia while moving closely with Peter Obi during the recent Vanguard Personality of the Year Award ceremony.
A viral video from the event showed Kitiya among a crowd of young Nigerians who welcomed Obi upon his arrival and followed him into the event hall at Eko Hotel & Suites.
The moment quickly generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians praising Obi for tolerating a perceived political opponent in his circle, while others questioned the closeness between both men despite their apparent political differences.
Kitiya Explains Why He Left Obi
Speaking in a now-trending interview, Kitiya claimed he was once an active supporter of Peter Obi and even worked for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign in the Apapa area of Lagos.
To back up his claim, he shared an old photograph showing his previous involvement in Obi’s campaign activities.
According to Kitiya, Obi immediately recognized him during the encounter and appeared visibly surprised.
“When Obi saw me, he was shocked because he had seen my face before. People didn’t know why Obi dey look me.”
He further alleged that after the public encounter, he had a private discussion with Obi and another individual identified as Dr. Moses inside Eko Hotel.
“Immediately we left that scene, inside Eko Hotel, Obi, Dr. Moses, three of us sat down and I told Obi to his face.”
Kitiya claimed he confronted Obi over what he described as internal political problems among his supporters in Lagos.
“I told him to hold his strong supporters in Lagos. Some of his supporters in Lagos have been bought.”
‘If You Leave Atiku, I Will Support You Again’
In one of the most controversial parts of his statement, Kitiya said he told Obi he would only consider supporting him again under one condition:
“If you leave Atiku, I will support you.”
The statement appears linked to recent reports of political realignments involving Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kitiya also revealed that he eventually defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State earlier this year.
“I told Obi that I was confused because of his way. If I dey confused, make I hide am?”
Social Media Reactions Trail Viral Video
The incident has sparked heated debates across social media and political forums, with supporters of Obi and Tinubu clashing over the implications of the viral moment.
While some dismissed Kitiya’s comments as political propaganda, others argued that the development reflects cracks within the opposition coalition ahead of 2027.
As political alignments continue to shift, observers say the incident may fuel more speculation about Peter Obi’s next move and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
For now, neither Peter Obi nor his media team has officially responded to Kitiya’s claims.
Final Thoughts
With the 2027 elections gradually taking shape, every public appearance and political statement is likely to attract scrutiny.
Whether Kitiya’s claims are genuine or politically motivated, the incident has once again placed Peter Obi and the opposition coalition under public attention.
What do you think? Is this a genuine concern or just another political stunt? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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