Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticized Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, stating that he should not be regarded as part of the political opposition.

Sowore argued that Obi has shown no genuine resistance to the current administration, pointing out his silence on major national issues and his lack of visible activism post-election. He challenged the notion that Obi remains a leading opposition figure ahead of the 2027 elections, reiterating his earlier skepticism about Obi’s political stance and commitment to systemic change.

“But in terms of real opposition, I don’t understand why anyone refers to Peter Obi as such,” Sowore said. “He hasn’t demonstrated opposition to the actions of the government. He didn’t mobilize his supporters after the election, said nothing when fuel prices soared, and has generally avoided the kind of agitation typical of opposition leaders.”

Sowore maintained that his warnings from the 2022–2023 campaign period are now proving accurate, asserting that Obi was never truly a threat to the status quo. He likened the Labour Party to a short-term political vehicle, saying it functioned like a rented platform — comparing it to an “Airbnb” — used temporarily and then discarded.

He also argued that Obi’s rise was less about political credibility and more about religious sentiments triggered by the ruling APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. “Obi became the default Christian response to what some perceived as an attempt to Islamise Nigeria,” Sowore stated.

Highlighting what he sees as true opposition, Sowore emphasized the need for mobilization and street-level activism, accusing Obi and his supporters of avoiding such actions. “If you claim six million people voted for you, why can’t you bring even 60,000 out to protest in Abuja? That would get the government’s attention,” he said.

He concluded by accusing Obi’s movement of seeking power, not real reform: “You’re pouring cold water on protests because you don’t want real change — just a different group in charge.”