Isaac Fayose, a younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has criticised Peter Obi over the controversy surrounding the NDC presidential candidate’s recent visit to Benue State.
Fayose expressed disappointment over Obi’s handling of the situation, questioning why the former Anambra State governor reportedly left the state amid the disagreement surrounding his planned visit to communities affected by deadly attacks.
In remarks that have sparked reactions online, Fayose questioned whether such a development could become a precedent for opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“I’m very disappointed in Peter Obi. He allowed an ordinary priest to chase him out of Benue. Is this how we will take power from Tinubu?” Fayose said.
The comments come against the backdrop of a growing political dispute between Obi and the Benue State Government over his planned visit to Yelewata and other communities affected by violence.
The Benue Government has rejected allegations that officials linked to Governor Hyacinth Alia deliberately prevented Obi from carrying out his visit, saying the state was not adequately informed about the planned movement.
The incident has subsequently become a political talking point, with supporters and critics of the various camps offering sharply different accounts of what happened.
Fayose’s intervention adds another layer to the controversy, particularly as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
The disagreement also highlights the increasingly charged political atmosphere surrounding visits by opposition figures to states controlled by rival political parties.