Activist Adeyanju, Peter Obi to meet in court, as lawyer cites Obidients intolerance

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has stated he would support President Bola Tinubu over Peter Obi in a hypothetical 2027 election, citing the intolerant behavior of some Obi supporters as his primary reason.

This declaration has escalated an ongoing feud, culminating in a legal threat from the former governor.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Adeyanju clarified that his position is not an endorsement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but a reflection of his personal convictions about democratic principles.

He expressed significant disillusionment with the conduct he witnessed during the last election campaign, alleging that supporters of Peter Obi engaged in online attacks and intimidation against anyone with dissenting views.

“Why would somebody like me support the APC? Support the APC for what? If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote Tinubu,” Adeyanju stated.

“We cannot have a situation where a man whose supporters cannot tolerate criticism, call people all sorts of names. Anybody who does not support their candidate is an enemy of Nigeria.”

Adeyanju, who has a history of voting across party lines based on personal judgment, recalled that he was initially excited by Obi’s candidacy as it offered the South-East a chance at the presidency.

However, his enthusiasm waned due to the actions of the candidate’s supporters, which he described as political extremism.

The public criticism has now triggered a legal response from Peter Obi. Through his lawyers, Ejesimen & Co Madiba Chambers, the former governor has sent a demand notice to Adeyanju, accusing him of repeated defamatory remarks on social media.

The notice cites posts where Adeyanju allegedly accused Obi of attempting to bribe him and of investing state funds in a family-owned company during his tenure as governor. Obi’s lawyers are demanding a public retraction and an unreserved apology.

In response, Adeyanju has openly mocked the legal threat and welcomed the prospect of a court case. He connected Obi’s lawsuit to an ongoing separate defamation case he filed against Serah Ibrahim, an aide to Obi.

Adeyanju had sued Ibrahim for allegedly defaming his wife online after he criticized Obi. He claims Obi’s legal threat is an attempt to interfere in that case.

“Just got this letter from Peter Obi, the religious bigot, demanding a retraction from me. I laughed so hard. I can’t wait to meet him in court finally,” Adeyanju wrote on Facebook.

The activist remains defiant, insisting that his criticisms are based on principle and his commitment to a sanitized political environment, and he is prepared to defend his statements in court.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts