RismadarVoice Reporters
November 7, 2026
Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has questioned the repeated criticism of former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, despite his third-place finish in the 2023 presidential election.
Utomi raised the concern in a post on his verified X account on Saturday, expressing surprise at the intensity of political attacks directed at Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.
He argued that the continued criticism of a candidate who finished behind two other contenders in the previous presidential election deserved closer examination.
Utomi suggested that the development raised questions about the political circumstances surrounding the 2023 election, although he provided no evidence of wrongdoing.
His remarks followed renewed criticism of Obi by prominent figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Speaking at an APC campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, Tinubu questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, particularly his administration’s response to erosion.
The President contrasted Obi’s performance with his own record in Lagos, claiming that he had successfully confronted coastal challenges posed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Tinubu also questioned Obi’s leadership credentials and political decisions ahead of the presidential election.
Similarly, Shettima accused the former Anambra governor of relying on misleading statistics and claimed that he had lost the goodwill he previously enjoyed among Nigerians.
The Vice-President maintained that Obi’s public statements had weakened his political standing, although the assessment reflected his own political position.
Oshiomhole also criticised Obi during a television appearance, questioning whether the opposition candidate had presented sufficiently clear alternatives to the policies of the Tinubu administration.
He argued that presidential aspirants should explain how their proposed programmes would differ from existing government policies.
The exchanges come as political parties intensify their activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Obi secured 6,101,533 votes in the 2023 presidential election while contesting on the Labour Party platform.
Tinubu won the election with 8,794,726 votes, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar finished second with 6,984,520 votes.
Obi has since joined the NDC and is seeking the presidency in 2027.
Utomi’s intervention adds to the ongoing political debate surrounding Obi’s candidacy and the increasingly critical exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures.
