The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has sparked controversy after criticising supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing them as “monsters” and cautioning that their behaviour could jeopardise his political future ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a series of posts shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa argued that Obi should be held accountable for the conduct of his supporters, widely known as Obidients. She suggested that their actions, if left unchecked, might ultimately undermine his ambitions.
According to her, Obi must take responsibility and rein in his followers, warning that their excesses could ironically become a major obstacle to his success. She further expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure victory in the 2027 elections.
Dabiri-Erewa doubled down on her stance in subsequent posts, reiterating that the behaviour of Obi’s supporters poses a risk to his political prospects if not addressed promptly.
She also defended her decision to engage critics online, insisting that her role as a public official does not prevent her from responding to attacks. Emphasising that her X account is personal, she dismissed calls for restraint and pushed back against what she described as “toxic” criticism from Obi’s supporters.
Her remarks came shortly after she shared details of her visit to Silicon Valley, California, where she met with Nigerian professionals contributing to technological innovation. She also highlighted her experience riding in a driverless car during the visit.
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions online, further intensifying political discourse among supporters and critics alike.