Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has explained why he would prefer President Bola Tinubu to Peter Obi if both men were to contest against each other in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Adeyanju said his decision was not out of loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but was rooted in his convictions about democracy, tolerance, and political conduct.
“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. Anybody who does not support their candidate is an enemy of Nigeria,” he said.
Adeyanju dismissed claims that he was working with the APC to weaken the opposition, stressing that his political choices had always been independent and issue-based.
He recalled voting across party lines in past elections: Obasanjo in 1999, Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, and Omoyele Sowore in 2023.
According to him, his opposition to Obi stems largely from the behaviour of some of the former Anambra governor’s supporters, whom he accused of launching online attacks and intimidating dissenting voices during the 2023 elections.
He cited the case of Nollywood actress Joke Silva, who was “terrorised” online for supporting Tinubu.
Adeyanju, who has faced multiple arrests over his activism, said his advocacy has always been about defending democracy and free expression, even at personal risk.
He added that while Obi’s candidacy initially excited him—especially as it represented a chance for the South-East to aspire to the presidency—his enthusiasm waned as the campaign progressed.
“Because we cannot have a situation in our country where political extremism becomes the order of the day. Nigerians are living witnesses to what happened during the build-up of the last election,” he said.
Adeyanju stressed that a divided opposition would always favour the APC, urging unity among opposition parties ahead of 2027.
