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Deji Adeyanju has drawn a sharp line between his own activism and Peter Obi’s political career, arguing that the sacrifices he has made in the course of Nigeria’s democratic struggle give him the right to consider himself bigger than the former Anambra State governor.
Adeyanju made the comments while speaking on MIC ON PODCAST, where he discussed his long-running disagreement with Obi and some people associated with the former presidential candidate.
For Adeyanju, the issue is not simply about personal differences. He said he has no problem responding when he believes he has been deliberately targeted, but he would rather deal directly with Obi than get involved in exchanges with people around him.
“If you don’t like me and you send your aides to ins¥lt me, I will ins4lt you back. But I will not join issues with your aides. I’m bigger than his aides,” he said.
The activist also rejected the idea that Obi’s previous position as a governor automatically placed him above people who had spent years fighting for democratic rights outside government.
His argument was largely centred on sacrifice. Adeyanju said occupying a political office and participating in the democratic process were not, by themselves, enough to determine who had done more for the country.
He also maintained that he had nothing to withdraw from his earlier criticisms of Obi. According to him, he was confident in what he had said and was prepared to stand behind his claims.
The discussion became more pointed when Adeyanju questioned Obi’s personal history in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“Has he ever made any sacrifice for the country that anybody shot at him, has military arrested him? What does he know about democracy that he’s enjoying? Does he even know what democracy is?” he asked.
Adeyanju then brought his own experiences into the argument. He recalled the risks he says he has faced as an activist, including arrests and what he described as several attempts on his life.
For him, those experiences are what distinguish his activism from simply holding political office.
“I’m bigger than him because I’ve made more sacrifices for the country. I’ve almost been k+lled more than 17 times for democracy, fighting for democracy. What has he done?” he said.
His comments reflect the way Adeyanju views his years of activism: not just as political participation, but as a personal commitment that has come with serious consequences.
The lawyer and activist has for years been outspoken on issues surrounding democracy, government accountability and the conduct of Nigerian politicians. His criticism of Obi is therefore part of a broader argument about the role individuals have played in the country’s democratic development.
Adeyanju also touched on another issue involving Obi, raising questions about the source of funds allegedly used to establish a bank.
“The money they used to set up the bank, where did they get the money from?” he asked.
He did not present the question as a casual one. Rather, it formed part of his wider challenge to Obi and his insistence that political figures should be prepared to answer questions about their records, decisions and sources of wealth.
For Adeyanju, the disagreement with Obi ultimately comes down to more than political differences. He believes the sacrifices he says he made during his years of activism should count when comparing their respective contributions to Nigeria.
His position is clear: serving in government may carry political influence, but it does not automatically outweigh years spent confronting authorities and taking personal risks in the name of democracy.
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#PeterObi
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