A throwback photo of 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, allegedly sharing money during an election period has gone viral online, sparking widespread reactions amid his recent criticism of transactional politics in Nigeria.
The image resurfaced shortly after Peter Obi gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., where he condemned the growing influence of money in Nigerian politics.
He expressed concern over how some politicians allegedly pay young people to attack voices promoting good governance on social media.
“In the transactional politics of Nigeria, some people pay them to cause confusion. Go to social media—those being paid ₦20,000, ₦40,000 monthly to abuse you are the same youths you’re fighting for,” Obi had stated during his address.
He stressed the irony of youths working against reformers who are actually advocating for their better future.
However, just hours after the speech, former presidential aide Reno Omokri took to social media to share an old photo purportedly showing Obi giving out money during a past election.
Reno Omokri used the image to accuse Obi of hypocrisy. Quoting Obi’s recent remarks, Omokri wrote:
“In the transactional politics of Nigeria, people pay youths to cause confusion”-Peter Obi at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, April 24, 2025.
Meanwhile, here is a photo of the very same Peter Obi during an election season in Nigeria, doing exactly what he is complaining about. If this is not hypocrisy, I wonder what is!
What Peter Obi said about Nigeria to a foreign audience at Johns Hopkins University is most unfortunate. Going abroad to de-market Nigeria is a disservice to our nation and a most unpatriotic act.
And what Peter Obi complained about, youths insulting their leaders, is actually more prevalent among his own supporters, Obidients.
Yes, Mr. Obi lost the #NigerianElections2023, but that should not mean he must destroy Nigeria’s image.”
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