Adamu Garba, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made a surprising public declaration that he will no longer criticize the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, describing him as a "worthy statesman."
In a post on his verified X account on Saturday, Garba acknowledged being one of Obi's most vocal critics during the 2023 general elections but admitted he has come to recognize the former Anambra State governor's resilience and political relevance even while in opposition.
"Nobody attacked @PeterObi during the last election like I did. But to some significant degree, he is able to reorganise and made himself shockingly endearing to many," Garba wrote.
"Even in the opposition, I'll no longer attack him like I did before, because he came to me as a worthy statesman," he added.
BenriNews reports that Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, continues to enjoy significant support among Nigerian youths and civil society groups. He is particularly noted for his consistent advocacy of good governance, accountability, and economic reform.
This public acknowledgment from Garba comes at a time when political realignments are beginning to take shape ahead of future electoral contests. Obi has remained politically active since the 2023 elections, making strategic visits to political figures across party lines.
Recent reports indicate that Obi has visited former governors Babangida Aliyu and Nasir El-Rufai in Abuja, further cementing his cross-party engagements. There have also been speculations about his potential return to the People's Democratic Party (PDP), with party stalwart Jerry Gana reportedly involved in discussions to bring him back to the fold.
Garba's change of stance toward Obi represents a notable shift in the often contentious Nigerian political landscape, where adversarial relationships between politicians from different parties are common.
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