Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has downplayed the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, stating that he “cannot” be the president of Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on TVC, Oshiomhole described Peter Obi as a trader who focuses on short-term calculations: “Peter Obi is a trader. Traders have short-term calculations, they are not into long-term projections. They are not wired to think about what the situation will be in the long run. Their turnover is within 3 months, maximum of 6 months.”
The lawmaker criticized Obi’s political trajectory, contrasting his past commitments with his subsequent party alliances: “The Peter Obi that was Governor of Anambra State is not the same today, because he was the one who said, as a matter of respect to the memory of Odumegwu Ojukwu, he would never abandon APGA.
“But before daybreak, once his tenure ended, Obi became a political wanderer, and he immediately found an alliance with perhaps the kind of people Ojukwu would never have related with. He did this when he became running mate to Atiku Abubakar.”
Oshiomhole argued that a leader with a manufacturing background is better suited to drive long-term industrial growth: “You look at his lifestyle to be able to project what he would do if he were to become president which he would not be, God willing.
“It is a manufacturer, an investor, an entrepreneur that understands how you can start a project, sweating for two to three years to build a factory, and then import machinery to install before you start producing.”
“Nigeria was virtually grounded. Peter Obi is not aware because he’s busy trading. I have said to people that Peter Obi’s business is to export job and import unemployment to the country. That is what he lives for. He’s a trader. He owns a shopping mall.”
