Peter Obi asked for my support – Buhari’s ex-aide, Ahmad

Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, sought his support.

He was reacting to the backlash he received from some X users after he shared photos of himself and Obi in Daura, Katsina state.

Obi had visited Daura, the home of former President Buhari to pay his condolence visit, a day after he was laid to rest.

While in Daura, Obi ran into Ahmad, a known critic of his online.

Following this, Ahmad Bashir shared photos of himself and Obi together.

Many Nigerians believed to be supporters of Obi had knocked him for posing for a photo with the same politician he has always criticized.

Reacting to the backlash, Ahmad in a post recounted how he met Obi and what transpired between them.

The post titled, “My meeting with @PeterObi in Daura”, reads: “When I arrived at Baba’s residence this morning, many dignitaries were already seated at the place reserved for the prayer session. I first went to greet Mallam Mamman Daura, then moved on to greet Atiku Abubakar, who was sitting beside him. Next was Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and then Mr. Peter Obi, who was sitting on the same chair with Mallam.

“Interestingly, Mr. Obi told me something I recently posted on Twitter. I smiled and continued down the row to greet others. Moments later,

“@YunusaTanko didn’t realize I had already greeted his boss, so he pointed me out again. I moved closer, and Mr. Obi again offered his condolences on Baba’s passing and told me he admired my loyalty to Baba even after leaving the office.

“There was no talk of politics or pictures until much later, when he was about to leave. Coincidentally, I had stepped outside to receive other visitors. We stood for a few moments. In a lighthearted tone, Mr. Obi said I should come and support him and he also mentioned how he had seen vast land for agriculture on the road coming to Daura.

“To my surprise, when I posted our pictures, his supporters, the so-called “Obidients,” as usual, launched the attacks on me. Frankly, I had expected the criticism to come from within my party for taking pictures with an opposition leader. Good that my party members understand the situation and we don’t politicize everything.

“I would like to even make it clear that I didn’t visit Peter Obi, he came to us and he did so out of respect for President Buhari, and there was nothing political about our brief exchange, it was purely a humane, respectful moment during a time of mourning.

“With such supporters who are only experts in bullying, gatekeeping and intolerance, it is hard for Mr. Obi to build the broad coalition necessary for him to become President. His supporters are simply not enough on their own to make him President and worse still, they attack, block and harass those who might otherwise be willing to help him do so.”

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