Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, saying he cannot become Nigeria’s president.
Oshiomhole made the comment during an interview on TVC, where he criticised Obi’s business background and political trajectory.
The former Edo State governor described Obi as a trader who, in his view, focuses on short-term calculations rather than long-term economic planning.
“Peter Obi is a trader. Traders have short-term calculations, they are not into long-term projections. They are not wired to think about what the situation will be in the long run. Their turnover is within three months, maximum of six months,” Oshiomhole said.
The senator also criticised Obi’s political movement, contrasting his past commitment to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with his subsequent political alliances.
“But before daybreak, once his tenure ended, Obi became a political wanderer, and he immediately found an alliance with perhaps the kind of people Ojukwu would never have related with. He did this when he became running mate to Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria needed leaders with experience in manufacturing, investment and entrepreneurship to drive long-term industrial development.
According to him, individuals with experience building businesses understand the patience and commitment required to establish industries and create sustainable employment.
“You look at his lifestyle to be able to project what he would do if he were to become president, which he would not be, God willing,” he said.
“It is a manufacturer, an investor, an entrepreneur that understands how you can start a project, sweating for two to three years to build a factory, and then import machinery to install before you start producing.”
The senator further accused Obi of promoting policies that, in his view, would contribute to job losses and unemployment in Nigeria.
“Nigeria was virtually grounded. Peter Obi is not aware because he’s busy trading. I have said to people that Peter Obi’s business is to export job and import unemployment to the country. That is what he lives for. He’s a trader. He owns a shopping mall,” Oshiomhole said.
