2027: Isa El-Buba Opens Up On Why He Abandoned Peter Obi

Plateau-based cleric Isa El-Buba has explained why he withdrew his support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as a lack of courage in the former Anambra State governor.

According to Ireporter Online, El-Buba, who supported Obi during the 2023 presidential election, said he still considers the former governor a good person but believes he has certain weaknesses that make it difficult for him to continue backing his political ambition.

The cleric had actively supported Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign under the Labour Party and was involved in mobilising support for the former governor during the election.

However, El-Buba has since shifted his support to Adewale Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), ahead of the 2027 election.

Speaking during an interview on the Mic On podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, El-Buba said courage is one of the most important qualities he expects from anyone seeking to lead a country.

He argued that a political leader must be prepared to take difficult decisions and defend the interests of followers, particularly during challenging circumstances.

According to the cleric, his concerns about Obi’s leadership style stem from issues he claimed to have personally discussed with the former governor.

“Peter Obi is a nice man. He is not a bad man. But there are certain things I saw and had discussed with him personally,” El-Buba said.

He added that courage was essential for any leader facing difficult situations and maintained that a leader who lacks it could lose the confidence of his followers.

“When a leader loses courage, the first instrument of a leader in the midst of all trials is courage to take shots on behalf of the followers. When a leader loses that one thing, you lose me,” he said.

El-Buba went on to directly criticise Obi, saying, “I don’t think Obi is courageous. That’s an aspect of his weakness.”

The cleric also questioned Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party and subsequently seek another political platform ahead of the 2027 election.

“Peter Obi has no business leaving LP and running here and there,” he added.

El-Buba’s comments come as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political figures and influential voices reassessing their alliances and preferred candidates.