Dr. Ugo Egbujo, a respected lawyer, columnist and social media commentator, has issued a stern critique of Peter Obi’s political methodology, asserting that the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate’s failure to build a robust organisational structure is severely undermining his effectiveness and national appeal.
The analysis, delivered in an extensive social media post on Saturday, centres on a recent incident where Obi threatened legal action against vocal activist, Deji Adeyanju, over allegations and insults. Chief Egbujo characterised this reaction as a symptomatic misstep of a campaign that operates not as a modern conglomerate but as a “one man shop,” lacking the strategic foresight and insulation that a dedicated team provides.
“He runs it like a one man shop. He wakes up one morning and threatens to sue Deji Adeyanju, a threat he can’t see through without opening up himself for a damaging stab”, Ogbujo criticised.
The critic argued that this impulsive response to provocation was a significant tactical error. In his view, a well-structured political operation with a competent communications and strategy unit would have advised complete disregard for such taunts. Instead, Obi’s engagement gifted Adeyanju a platform. “Obi reacts thoughtlessly to the insults and baits,” Egboji observed. “Adeyanju jumps on the opportunity to be in the news for a few days [and] starts to insult Obi the more.”
Egbujo emphasised that enduring the slings and arrows of outrageous commentary is an inescapable reality of Nigerian public life, particularly for a high-profile opposition figure. He listed the common insults hurled at Obi—including being called “corrupt,” “a fraud,” and “a religious bigot”—and questioned their capacity to cause genuine damage. “How arent these comments everyday stuff in Nigeria? How do they damage Obi?” he asked rhetorically.
The more profound damage, he contends, is self-inflicted through the response. Egbujo warned that any move perceived as an attempt to stifle criticism is especially perilous for an opposition leader, whose role is inherently tied to championing open discourse.
“An opposition politician shoots himself in the foot if he engages in any action that is capable of muzzling dissent,” he cautioned. “What will Obi gain by suing a motor mouthed Adeyanju?”
The solution, according to Egboji, is not legal retaliation but professionalisation. He called for the immediate formation of a competent “back office,” a group of savvy individuals tasked with managing affairs, filtering noise, and executing a long-term strategy. “Obi should have a team,” he urged. “The time is near (and) he should have a political time table… The easy decision would have been to ignore every lousy motor mouthed busy body.”
This public intervention from a figure of Egbujo standing highlights growing concerns amongst observers about the structural viability of Peter Obi’s political enterprise beyond its considerable popular support. The critique suggests that for the movement to translate passion into sustained political power, it must evolve from a personality-driven project into an institutionalised force.
Chief Egbujo a military veteran, a seasoned lawyer and doctor, a widely-read public affairs columnist known for his incisive and often critical commentary on Nigerian governance and political strategy. His opinions carry weight in national discourse due to his legal expertise and longstanding presence in the media
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