Peter Obi faces backlash after comments on a non-existent North Central Development Commission, raising questions about opposition strategy in 2025
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n his usual attempt in playing opposition, the former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has found himself in the spotlight following a widely criticised comment regarding a non-existent North Central Regional Commission.
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According to a public analyst, Michael Chibuzo® (@chibuzo_mikel), who schooled the former governor publicly, described it as a “rushed and poorly researched” social media post.
In his detailed critique, Chibuzo pointed out that there is no such entity as the “North Central Regional Commission,” contrary to Obi’s assertion.
He clarified that commissions in Nigeria are established by law as “Development Commissions” and not “Regional Commissions.”
Furthermore, Chibuzo noted that budgetary provisions cannot be made for an entity that does not yet exist.
The North Central Development Commission Bill is still under legislative consideration, with the 10th Senate having passed it but awaiting concurrence from the House of Representatives.
Until the National Assembly harmonises and passes the legislation, and the President gives assent, the commission cannot legally exist.
Chibuzo argued that Tinubu’s administration has followed due process, explaining that funds for the commission would be addressed through a supplementary budget once it is legally established.
He accused Obi of attempting to capitalise on the situation to maintain political relevance in the North Central region, particularly among its Christian demographic.
Chibuzo also highlighted Obi’s perceived fear of losing the North Central bloc in the 2027 elections.
He attributed this to the region’s increasing comfort with the Tinubu administration, noting improved security and diminishing fears stoked during the 2023 elections over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The analyst urged Obi to adopt more strategic and informed tactics, advising him to assemble a more competent advisory team to avoid repeated missteps.
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The former governor had made attempt at calling out the FG over what he described as an anomaly, deeply troubling and in need of urgent reversal the exclusion of the North Central Regional Commission from the budgetary allocations provided to other Regional Commissions in the 2025 proposed budget.
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Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
