Why I felt irritated by Peter Obi’s recent interview — Aisha Yesufu

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

Aisha Yesufu, rights activist and prominent supporter of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed frustration over what she described as the repetitive nature of media interviews granted by the former Anambra State governor, saying the conversations no longer add anything new to public discourse.

Speaking in a video shared on her social media platform, Yesufu said she felt “irritated” after watching Obi’s recent interview on Channels Television, arguing that the same questions and issues continue to dominate discussions while other presidential contenders receive far less scrutiny.

“Peter Obi did an interview with Seun yesterday, and honestly, for me, I just feel irritated by the whole thing,” she said.

“Usually, when Peter Obi does interviews, there’s that excitement to hear what he’s saying and the issues being discussed. But this particular one—and maybe going forward I’ll have the same feeling—it’s just irritation because it’s the same conversation again and again.”

According to her, she reviewed the interview expecting fresh insights but found that nearly every issue raised had been addressed repeatedly in previous engagements.

“I don’t think there was any question Seun asked Peter Obi that has not already been asked. I don’t think there was anything new. Usually, I pick one or two issues from his interviews and discuss them, but this time I couldn’t find anything we haven’t already heard,” she further noted.

Yesufu argued that Obi continues to face extensive questioning on issues such as insecurity, the economy, and governance, while other political figures are not subjected to similar public scrutiny, specifically referencing President Bola Tinubu, who she said has not been made equally available for probing interviews.

“But we waste our time because, again and again, more pressure is being put on Peter Obi to be the one to come out and explain to the people what he wants to do about insecurity, the economy, and every other issue. Meanwhile, other candidates are not being subjected to the same level of questioning. They’re not coming out to do interviews.

“Looking at someone like Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, who rigged the election and got himself sworn in, nobody is asking him tough questions. He’s not in front of the camera. He’s not being judged. He’s just going about freely, doing his own business.

“Yet the one person who has been out there speaking to the people is the one from whom more and more is demanded. And it’s not even about asking more questions. Can you at least ask different questions instead of repeating what we’ve heard all this while? Can we have conversations that explore something new?” the activist asked.

Continuing, the activist also criticised attempts by political opponents to revive previous controversies surrounding Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, particularly comments regarding the appointment of commissioners.

She maintained that Obi had repeatedly clarified that he was referring to Commissioners of Police, whom he said were predominantly northern Muslims during his administration, and not members of his state executive council.

According to Yesufu, critics continue to misrepresent those remarks despite his repeated explanations.

She urged Nigerians to shift their attention from repeatedly interrogating Obi to focusing on the broader political process and ensuring credible elections.

“I don’t think there’s anything about Peter Obi that Nigerians still need to know that they haven’t already heard.

“Our focus should be on ensuring that he gets into office and then holding him accountable afterwards,” she urged.

Yesufu argued that citizens often lose opportunities for political change because they become consumed by doubts and endless debates instead of taking decisive action.

She said Nigerians should elect leaders through credible elections and remain prepared to hold them accountable if they fail to deliver on their promises.

The activist, however, warned that the country faces serious economic and governance challenges that require urgent attention rather than repetitive political conversations.

“So, for me, honestly, looking at all these interviews and seeing the same conversations repeated over and over again is really irritating.

“I think a lot of our people do not understand where we are as a country or the seriousness of the challenges we face,” Yesufu added.

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