Photo: Deji Adeyanju
By: Mandy Park
A fresh political controversy has erupted following a blistering response by Idris Zekeri Jnr to activist and political commentator Deji Adeyanju over comments concerning the political standing of former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Zekeri, a supporter of Obi, described Adeyanju’s reported claim that he was “bigger” than the former governor as an absurd and misplaced comparison, likening it to a “shrimp comparing itself to a whale.”
In a statement issued in response to Adeyanju’s remarks, Zekeri accused the activist of engaging in what he described as a “renewed and ongoing campaign of calumny” against Obi and his supporters.
According to him, while Adeyanju, like every other Nigerian, has the constitutional right to criticise public office holders and political figures, such criticism should be based on facts and issues rather than what he characterised as personal attacks and exaggerated claims.
Zekeri argued that Obi’s political influence and national following cannot be measured against the personal profile of an individual activist, stressing that the former Anambra governor has built a substantial political base across Nigeria and beyond.
He said Adeyanju’s attempt to place himself above Obi politically was not only insulting to millions of Obi’s supporters but also demonstrated, in his view, a failure to appreciate the former governor’s influence within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The statement further accused Adeyanju of repeatedly targeting Obi while allegedly ignoring the broader political issues confronting the country.
Zekeri maintained that political disagreements are legitimate in a democracy, but warned that persistent personal attacks could distract from substantive debates about governance, accountability, economic hardship and the future of Nigeria.
He urged Adeyanju and other critics of Obi to focus on policies, records in public office and verifiable facts rather than engaging in what he described as unnecessary personal exchanges.
The latest development adds to the continuing public debate surrounding Obi, his political movement and the growing disagreements among opposition figures and political commentators ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2013, became a major national political figure following his 2023 presidential massive campaign and has continued to maintain a significant following among Nigerians, as well as those in the diaspora.
As of the time of publication, Adeyanju had not publicly responded to Zekeri’s latest statement.
The controversy is therefore expected to continue, particularly as political actors and their supporters increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
