Bashir Ahmad, the erstwhile spokesperson of late President Muhammadu Buhari, has stated that his recent engagement with Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 election was merely civil and not political.
Ahmad stated this after he was seriously criticised for sharing photos of himself and Peter Obi in Daura, Katsina State.
Recall that Obi had on Wednesday, July 16, visited the home of late Buhari to pay his condolence. During the process, he met Ahmad and the two spent a few minutes talking only to be criticised for hobnobbing with a politician he constantly criticize.
Explaining the situation in a post he shared, Ahmad said that Obi had come to the home of his former boss to pay his condolences and it was only civil for him to have taken a photo with the politician.
Ahmad slammed Obi’s supporters, Obidients for making it hard for the politician to build a broader coalition for him to become president, adding that they are constantly hounding anyone who is not a supporter of the politician.
Read his post,
My meeting with @PeterObi in Daura
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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