Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, has taken aim at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, questioning both his philanthropy and his link to the Labour movement.

Speaking on The Clarity Zone Podcast on Wednesday, Bwala argued that Obi’s public image as a generous giver was overhyped. He claimed there was no solid evidence that Obi had set up a foundation, school, or any long-term project dedicated to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Bwala, Obi’s donations have also been overstated. He insisted that the former Anambra governor had never given beyond N50 million, dismissing reports of larger contributions. He also mocked the boreholes Obi reportedly donated in northern Nigeria after the elections, describing them as outdated hand-pump types.

Bwala went further to question Obi’s political roots in the Labour Party, saying the billionaire businessman had no history of solidarity with workers or involvement in labour struggles. In his words, Obi is a capitalist who thrives on free-market principles, which, in Bwala’s view, is at odds with the socialist ideals the Labour Party is meant to uphold.

He likened Obi’s 2023 campaign to Donald Trump’s style of politics, suggesting that the candidate tapped into the frustrations of young people to build momentum. “Obi just saw the youth were angry and used it to his advantage. They even funded his campaign themselves with the ‘we no dey give shishi’ slogan,” he said.

Bwala also accused Obi of leaning heavily on churches during his campaign trail, only to vanish from the same spaces after the elections. He recalled seeing Obi at several religious programs before the polls but noted his absence afterwards.