Isaac Fayose hails Obi as ‘incoming president’ days after criticising him

Isaac Fayose has declared Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress's 2027 presidential candidate, as Nigeria's "incoming president" during a visit to his residence. The declaration follows a period of tension between the two men, during which Fayose accused Obi of ingratitude for not acknowledging his support during the 2023 presidential campaign.

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It’s not every day the President comes to your house. Our incoming president. So shall it be, in Jesus’ name.

During the visit, Fayose shared a video on Instagram, stating, "It's not every day the President comes to your house. Our incoming president. So shall it be, in Jesus' name." He also asserted his unwavering support, telling critics, "I am 100 per cent Obidient. So you better be Obidient. We are together, and we are winning."

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For you others abusing me, you can see now, I am 100 per cent Obidient. So you better be Obidient. We are together, and we are winning.

Peter Obi, responding to the situation, indicated that he welcomes criticism and views it as essential for leadership. "The one thing I take is criticism. You can never be annoyed with anybody for saying I did something wrong," he said. Obi stressed that leaders must be willing to listen, learn, and admit mistakes, adding, "If he doesn’t, he shouldn’t lead. He should just go, because he thinks he knows everything."

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Half of the people that abuse you, they don’t follow us. What they do, when they hire people, they carry them, call them all sorts of names.

Fayose had previously expressed disappointment that Obi had not acknowledged his personal sacrifices, including providing his hotel for Obidient Movement members, during the 2023 campaign. Obi suggested that many online critics are not genuine supporters of his movement.

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My people will tell you one thing: the one thing I take is criticism. You can never be annoyed with anybody for saying I did something wrong.