Biodun Olujimi: Peter Obi’s rhetoric won’t stop Tinubu in 2027

Biodun Olujimi, former deputy governor of Ekiti state, says Peter Obi’s rhetoric will not diminish President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 elections.

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) trailed in the 2023 elections, finishing third behind Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on Thursday during her appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Olujimi said Obi’s campaign strength in the last election was largely anchored on rhetoric, which may not resonate again.

“The rhetoric of the last election will not work again, unless he comes with another gimmick. And you see, this (Tinubu) is a politician, a man who knows the terrain well,” she said.

The former minority leader of the senate described Tinubu as a seasoned politician who has built networks across the country.

“This is the first time we are having a dyed-in-the-wool politician as president. He knows his onions; he knows all of us. He has been in the system for a very long time. It’s tough,” she said.

“This is a man who has worked with everyone, who has been useful to everyone, who has had opportunities to assist governments. Beating him? Uphill task.”

Olujimi, who recently joined the APC, said she believes the ruling party has become more pragmatic under the current administration.

“The APC we talked about in the past, the government that was in power then, is not the current one in power. There is a different APC now,” she said.

“This government is pragmatic. It’s resolute; it’s taking tough decisions and running with the decisions.

“It’s not like other governments—taking tough decisions and, when people start to complain, dropping it and making them comfortable again, going back to the old ways.

“Rather, it’s taking the bull by the horns and moving on, and that is what I saw in the new APC. I am telling you that it is this government that made me join the APC, not any other.”

The former lawmaker said the PDP failed to behave like an opposition party after losing the 2023 presidential election and instead carried on like it was still in power.

She also dismissed speculations of aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the party lacks structures at the state and local levels in Ekiti.