Former Abia State Governor and serving senator, Theodore Orji, has stirred controversy in the South-East political landscape after declaring that Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, is “not his leader.”
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Umuahia on Wednesday, Orji asserted that despite Obi’s recent rise in national politics, he remains the most influential political figure from the South-East, given his long-standing contributions and achievements in public service.
With all due respect, Peter Obi is not my leader,” Orji said. “I have been in this game for decades, and my record speaks for itself. I was governor for eight years, served as Chief of Staff, and now as a senator. I have seen leaders come and go. I’m the most important political figure from the South-East because of my experience and the structures I built.”
Orji, who governed Abia State between 2007 and 2015, argued that political leadership is not determined by popularity or social media appeal but by tangible achievements and institutional influence.
Leadership is not about noise or online followers. It is about impact, structure, and what you have built over time. People know my political weight in the South-East. I respect Obi for his efforts, but leadership is earned through consistent service, not sudden fame,” he added.
His comments have sparked mixed reactions among political observers and residents in the region. While some agreed that Orji’s political pedigree remains strong, others accused him of being dismissive of the growing youth-driven movement inspired by Obi’s emergence.
A political analyst in Enugu, Dr. Nnamdi Eze, described Orji’s remarks as “a reflection of old-guard politics,” saying that the senator might be struggling to remain relevant amid a shifting political order.
The reality is that Obi represents a new era in South-East politics. Whether one agrees with him or not, he has redefined political engagement among the youth. Statements like Orji’s show a generational divide,” Eze said.
Meanwhile, supporters of the Labour Party have taken to social media to criticize the former governor, accusing him of arrogance and detachment from the region’s current political pulse.
Despite the backlash, Orji maintained that his statement was not meant to demean Obi but to clarify his position within the South-East political hierarchy.
We can’t all follow one person. I have paid my dues. Nobody can erase my political relevance.”
