2027: Peter Obi Has Not Offered Any Alternative — Oshiomhole

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has not offered any alternative to the policies of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Oshiomhole described Obi as a trader whose approach, according to him, focuses on short-term gains rather than long-term national development.

“Peter Obi has not offered any alternative. I think it is you or someone else who asked him for security, what will you do differently? He said, it’s in his heart.

“I’ve always said that Peter Obi is a trader; the logic of a trader is short term turnover. A statesman that Tinubu represents thinks of the next generation,” he said.

Oshiomhole said he respected the right of opposition candidates to contest for the presidency but believed Tinubu should remain in office after “having gone through all the teething problems” rather than “recruit a new apprentice.”

He also criticised the record of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, under which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar served, alleging that they were unable to guarantee the payment of workers’ salaries.

The Edo North Senator said the 2027 presidential election would present Nigerians with a choice between Tinubu, whom he credited with unifying the exchange rate, and Atiku, whose administration he accused of allowing different exchange rates for people based on their connections.

Oshiomhole also defended the Tinubu administration’s handling of workers’ welfare, saying the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 transport allowance showed that the President cared about them.

“I think this government is doing well. If a man who was on ₦70,000 now is given ₦70,000 addition that makes it ₦140,000 for him it’s a hundred percent increase and if you know what ₦10,000 means for the real masses, you’ll appreciate that Tinubu has shown that he cares,” Oshiomhole said.

The Federal Government approved the monthly ₦70,000 transport intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on October 27.

The agreement also provides for the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November. However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejected the transport allowance, arguing that workers need a permanent salary increase rather than temporary relief.