2027: Peter Obi Gives Money Too – Olayinka Counters ‘No Shishi’ Claim

Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the claim that Peter Obi does not spend money in his political activities, alleging that the former Anambra State governor gave money to delegates while seeking the Peoples Democratic Party presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election.

Olayinka made the claim on Friday, September 5, 2026, during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today programme. He was responding to a discussion about whether money plays a role in Nigerian politics and whether politics should be regarded as a business.

The Wike aide argued that politicians should be open about the financial demands of seeking political office. He said candidates spend money at different stages, including consultations, party primaries and election campaigns.

Olayinka also referred to his own experience as a candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2023 election. He said financial spending was part of the political process even before candidates reached the general election, particularly during party primaries.

Speaking about Obi, who is now the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Olayinka disputed the popular description of him as a politician who does not give money during political engagements.

He claimed that he personally witnessed Obi giving money to delegates during the period when the former Anambra governor was still seeking the PDP presidential ticket. Olayinka said he was among PDP delegates in Ekiti at the time and received a share of the money allegedly distributed during Obi’s visit in 2022.

The claim has not been independently established by the report, and Olayinka did not provide further details about the alleged payment or the amount involved.

Olayinka, however, acknowledged that the amount Obi allegedly gave may have been less than what some other presidential aspirants spent during the same period. His argument was that the amount did not change his claim that money was involved.

Obi initially sought the PDP presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election but later left the party and became the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi has moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, where he is expected to face President Bola Tinubu and other opposition candidates.

Olayinka’s comments come amid growing political exchanges among supporters of the various presidential contenders as parties prepare for the 2027 elections. The role of money in Nigerian politics, particularly during party primaries and election campaigns, remains a recurring issue in political debates.