Sowore Slams Peter Obi’s Silence on Fuel Subsidy, Accuses Him of Double Standards

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has sharply criticised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, following Obi’s comments questioning the justification for the 2012 fuel subsidy protests that rocked the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obi, while speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of Niger Delta elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, in Abuja on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, reignited debate over Nigeria’s economic history by lamenting the silence of many voices who protested during Jonathan’s era but have remained quiet under the hardship brought by President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

Obi’s remarks drew swift backlash from Sowore, who took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday to accuse Obi of hypocrisy and selective outrage. The publisher of Sahara Reporters defended the 2012 protest, asserting it was a legitimate pushback against anti-people policies, and accused Obi of downplaying that moment in history due to his past affiliations with the Jonathan administration.

“I have repeatedly stated that Peter Obi’s stance is questionable and patently dishonest, if not outrightly dumb,” Sowore wrote. “He seems to imply that protests against Goodluck Jonathan’s economic policies were unnecessary, forgetting he served as an economic adviser in that government. They were all enabling each other while looting Nigeria dry—including Fidelity Bank, which he is closely linked to, and which helped Diezani Alison-Madueke move massive sums of hard cash.”

Sowore went further, challenging Obi’s credibility to criticise President Tinubu’s government, questioning why the so-called ‘Obidient Movement’ has remained passive.

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“If he believes protests were wrong during Jonathan’s time, why should Tinubu’s handlers see things differently? The current regime, like the previous one, claims its economic decisions are for the good of the people—even while Nigerians suffer gravely.”

He also accused Obi and his supporters of failing to take action during major moments of national concern, including the 2023 general election and the fuel subsidy removal.

“His movement didn’t protest the presidential election results they insist he won. They didn’t join the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, dismissing it as ‘controlled opposition.’ Nor did they speak against the naira redesign policy when Godwin Emefiele, Obi’s alleged ally was CBN governor,” Sowore added.

According to Sowore, Obi has demonstrated a pattern of political opportunism, eager to benefit from other people’s sacrifices without taking meaningful stands himself.

“Like during #EndSARS, he wants to reap where he hasn’t sown. His so-called GBAJUE movement has done nothing except gaslight Nigerians, especially those who didn’t align with his political agenda. Many of his loyalists are now back in APC, which exposes the sham of his commitment to reform.”

Sowore concluded by describing Obi’s brand of politics as hollow, accusing him of surrounding himself with “anointed corrupt opportunists” no different from the establishment figures he once vowed to replace.