Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the perception that former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, does not spend money in pursuit of political office.

Olayinka alleged that Obi gave money to delegates while seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general election.

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He made the allegation during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today programme on Friday, while responding to a question on whether politics was a business for Wike.

According to Olayinka, politicians should stop pretending that money does not play a role in Nigerian politics, arguing that candidates routinely spend money during consultations, party primaries and election campaigns.

“One of the issues with most of us Nigerians, we like to pretend, politics is business. Don’t let us pretend. It’s a service but you can only serve when you get to power,” he said.

Olayinka, who said he contested a House of Representatives seat in 2023, noted that spending money was also part of the political process at the primary election stage.

“Why do politicians spend money? Will anybody tell me why politicians in this country, even outside Nigeria, in US, everywhere; don’t they spend money to campaign? They spend money to seek election,” he said.

Speaking specifically about Obi, Olayinka rejected the narrative that the former governor does not give money during political engagements.

“For instance, we have read that the candidate of NDC, Peter Obi, does not spend shishi. It’s a lie,” Olayinka said.

He claimed to have personally witnessed Obi distributing money to delegates when he was still seeking the PDP presidential ticket.

“I was a delegate in Ekiti when he was in PDP before going to Labour Party. He came to Ekiti. He dropped money for delegates. From the money he dropped, they gave me my own in 2022,” he said.

Olayinka, however, acknowledged that the amount Obi allegedly gave may have been smaller than what some other presidential aspirants offered.

“The money might be smaller than what other people gave, but he gave money,” he said.

Obi later left the PDP and contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi has moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while several opposition figures continue to position themselves for another challenge against President Bola Tinubu.

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has warned that Peter Obi may not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without a broader opposition alliance.

Okonkwo made the statement during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, a united opposition front remains the only realistic strategy for defeating Tinubu at the polls.

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He argued that Obi would face difficulties securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he chooses to contest against Tinubu alone.

“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s political approach and his previous comments about the nature of political power.

He further dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, even if former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joins him as running mate.

“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.

He questioned whether Obi would receive sufficient support in Kano, noting that the former Anambra State governor did not secure the state in the 2023 presidential election.

“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” he added.

Okonkwo also played down Kwankwaso’s political influence, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost some of his strength, including in his home state.

“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.

His comments come as opposition politicians continue discussions over the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.

A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.

Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.

The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.

Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.

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The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.

The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.

Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.

“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.

“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.

“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.

“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.