Akin Osuntokun, a former campaign director-general for Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that the former Anambra State governor would govern Nigeria like a dictator if elected president in 2027.
Osuntokun said Obi’s political history and leadership style show strong respect for democratic principles, insisting the former Labour Party presidential candidate remains committed to constitutional governance.
“Even if Peter Obi is a good candidate and becomes President, he still has to work with the National Assembly; he is not a dictator,” Osuntokun said.
The former presidential adviser argued that Nigeria’s political challenges extend beyond elections and personalities, stressing that opposition figures and other political actors often fail to address the deeper structural issues facing the country.
He maintained that the current constitution grants excessive powers to the presidency, creating a system where too much importance is attached to a single office.
Osuntokun called for genuine decentralisation, warning that unless power is devolved more effectively, the presidency would continue to dominate Nigeria’s political system disproportionately.
He added that the over-concentration of authority at the centre fuels unhealthy political competition and contributes to the recurring tensions surrounding presidential elections in the country.
