Peter Obi cannot be Nigeria’s President, he is a regional champion – Dino Melaye
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has said Peter Obi cannot become Nigeria’s president, describing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate as a “regional champion.”
Speaking on the KAA Truths podcast, Melaye argued that Nigeria’s presidency requires a leader with a broader national appeal, insisting that “no regional champion can be president of Nigeria.”
He contrasted Obi with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as a “nationalist.”
Melaye acknowledged that his remarks might sound offensive but maintained that they reflected his assessment of Nigeria’s political realities.
“Atiku is a nationalist. Obi is a regional champion. It may sound awkward. It may sound offensive but Obi is a good man and he’s my friend. I have respect for him but he’s a regional champion and no regional champion in this country will ever be president,” he said.
The former lawmaker also cited the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as an example, describing him as a brilliant and exceptional leader but arguing that his regional political identity affected his presidential ambitions.
“Awolowo, fantastic man, brilliant, exquisite, cosmopolitan, leader par excellence but he was a regional champion. He contested for the presidency of this country, he could only win convincingly only in the Southwest, because he’s not a nationalist in that regard of politics,” Melaye added.
