Northern Elders spokesman: Peter Obi’s followers could frustrate and hurt his reputation in Southeast

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the National Director of Publicity for the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has issued a warning that Peter Obi’s supporters may try to de-market him with fewer than 60 days till the election.

Baba-Ahmed cautioned that in the Southeast, where Obi is “strongest,” supporters of the candidate could scuttle elections.

The amount of violence in the Southeast should be reduced, he encouraged Obi’s followers, as it might not be in their candidate’s favor during the presidential election.

In response to a tweet that read: “If Obi gets involved in negotiating IPOB then people will still believe he is their sponsor,” Baba-Ahmed gave the warning.

“We need to be aggressive, and I personally believe we haven’t been as aggressive as we should have given what transpired. We can’t take power from PDAPC by being meek or singing cumbaya.”

Baba-Ahmed responded by tweeting: “Obi supporters should help him lessen the level of violence in the East. They are doing this as human beings. They are de-marketing him to give the appearance that he is facing significant local resistance. Where he is stronger, they might sabotage the election.

“At this point, I’m sure that you didn’t read the text. The causes of the violence in the Southeast were numerous. The biggest winner from a less violent election will be Obi.

“Parrallels between SE and N don’t solve the issues. Are Obi’s followers hoping for peace?

“Much of it. Obi will suffer more than others if he insists on comparisons to 2015 and 2019. His supporters are standing by tradition to see him President, waving the magic wand.

“I was hard on everyone but cannot comment on Obi’s challenges. Some people hear conflict in everything that is uttered.