Peter Obi’s ‘from consumption to production’ campaign mantra continues to face rejection and doubts from Nigerians who query the sincerity of the Labour Party’s candidate in light of growing evidence of his preference for foreign-produced goods and services, including basic medical routines and procedures.
A video of Obi delivering a keynote speech in which he revealed a trip to the United Kingdom to treat an undisclosed ailment has added to the growing doubts, as many criticize the absence of any proof of personal commitment to the high ideals he professes, particularly a shift towards local production and promotion of home-grown goods.
Reno Omokri, a PDP media interventionist who worked closely with Obi whilst he was the running mate to Atiku in 2019 before his hurried switch to Labour Party this year, had previously chronicled the former Anambra governor’s large contributions to Nigeria’s imports, likening him to a “devil complaining about sin.”
He highlighted the chain of businesses owned and operated by Obi majorly focused on sourcing and importing alcohol and cheaper foreign goods options – a factor many local producers identify as the major obstacle to sustained growth.
Commenting on social media, young Nigerians admit that Obi’s business and personal decisions greatly undermine his message and portray him as a hypocrite. Some also asserted that his crusade against corruption is undercut by his complicity in the PANDORA PAPERS leak that exposed political actors hiding questionable funds and properties in tax havens to avoid investigation and scrutiny.
It is an indictment that frustrates the LP candidate’s political gambit to cast himself as a political outsider and a different breed. The message lost more relevance with Obi’s London meeting with Atiku and the leadership of the PDP, and reports of planned collusion between the PDP candidate and his political mentee.