Deji Adeyanju Says He Would Back Tinubu Over Obi in 2027
Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has said he would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, if both men go head-to-head in the 2027 general elections.
Adeyanju, speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, explained that his position was not rooted in loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but in his convictions about democracy, tolerance, and political behaviour.
“Why would somebody like me support the APC? Support the APC for what? If the opposition presents Peter Obi, I will vote Tinubu. This is because we cannot have a situation where a man whose supporters cannot tolerate criticism calls people all sorts of names,” he said.
The activist accused some supporters of Obi of intolerance, alleging that they frequently harassed or intimidated dissenting voices online. He cited the backlash actress Joke Silva faced during the 2023 election for supporting Tinubu as an example of the hostility.
“They terrorised that woman and others because she decided to support Tinubu. People have the right, I have the right,” Adeyanju added.
He clarified that his voting history has always been independent of political parties, recalling that he supported Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, and Omoyele Sowore in 2023.
Adeyanju said his initial enthusiasm for Obi’s candidacy was based on the belief that it could give the South-East a chance at the presidency, but his outlook shifted as the campaign unfolded.
“The idea of Obi’s candidacy excited me because the South-East has not produced a president since independence. But I couldn’t reconcile with some of the things I observed in the movement,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to issue-based politics, Adeyanju said his opposition to Obi should not be mistaken for an endorsement of APC. He also recalled how his activism has led to arrests and personal risks under successive governments.
“We have put our lives on the line for this country, for the preservation of democracy, at personal expense of prosecution. At one point, I was almost charged with terrorism,” he noted.
He warned against political extremism, saying Nigerians must resist any trend that undermines democratic values.
