It’s Not Politicians – Fayose Reveals Nigeria’s Real Problem After Attack on Obi in Benue

Isaac Fayose, a younger brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, has blamed Nigerian youths for the country’s worsening insecurity and political crisis, following an attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.

Fayose, in a video shared on Tuesday, condemned the blocking of Obi’s convoy by youths in the state.

He questioned why young people would prevent a political figure from visiting communities affected by violence while failing to confront the perpetrators of the killings.

Obi had arrived in Benue on a humanitarian visit, amid reports that suspected thugs blocked a major access road, preventing him from proceeding into Makurdi.

The incident drew condemnation from Obi, who described it as evidence of the extent to which Nigerian politics had deteriorated.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that his visit was not campaign-related, urging Nigerians to embrace political unity despite their differences.

“You can see the level to which our politics has degenerated,” Obi said.

He recalled that he had earlier appealed for a more united political environment while attending the opening of the presidential campaign office belonging to Governor Seyi Makinde.

“That was why yesterday, while joining the APM candidate in launching his office, I used the opportunity to plead with our people, let our next politics be a politics of unity,” he added.

However, reacting to the incident, Fayose argued that politicians were not the country’s primary problem, but youths who, according to him, had been manipulated by poverty.

“The actual problem we are facing in Nigeria right now is the youths, not even our politicians. They have used poverty to destroy the minds of several youths,” he said.

Fayose questioned the rationale behind preventing Obi from entering the state while insecurity continues to ravage parts of Benue.

“How can you, as a youth, allow people to kill your family members and continue killing your people, yet you are stopping Peter Obi from entering? You people can’t even stop the terrorists who are killing your people,” he said.

He urged Benue youths to redirect their anger towards insecurity and resist being used to perpetrate political violence against fellow Nigerians.

Fayose’s latest comments come after he also criticised Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, over his recent remarks about the former Anambra governor.

Datti had argued during an interview on Mic On Podcast that none of the leading contenders for the 2027 presidency, including Obi, would significantly improve Nigeria if elected.

Fayose subsequently accused Datti of jealousy and described him as a political failure.

He argued that Datti lacked the political influence required to make a significant impact, claiming that he failed to win his home state during the 2023 election.

“Datti Ahmed is a failure. Nobody knew this man before Peter Obi picked him in 2022 as his running mate.

“In 2023, Datti Ahmed failed to win even his state. When Obi picked this guy in 2022, we were all shouting, who is this guy and why will Obi pick this kind of person? Looking at the way things are going now, Obi got it wrong,” Fayose said.

He further alleged that Datti’s criticism of Obi was driven by disappointment over not being selected again as Obi’s running mate for the 2027 election.

Fayose claimed that Obi’s decision to work with Rabiu Kwankwaso had contributed to the former running mate’s alleged resentment.

“He is a failure and a jealous man. He is jealous that Obi did not pick him again this time. Datti Ahmed, thank you for wasting our time four years ago,” he added.