Businessman Isaac Fayose has described the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, as Nigeria’s ‘incoming president’ following a visit by the former Anambra governor to his residence.
The visit comes days after Isaac Fayose publicly expressed disappointment with Obi, accusing him of failing to acknowledge the support he received during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Sharing a video of the meeting on his Instagram page on Saturday, Fayose welcomed Obi and reaffirmed his support for the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
“It’s not every day the President comes to your house. Our incoming president. So shall it be, in Jesus’ name,” Fayose said.
He also addressed critics who had questioned his commitment to Obi’s political movement.
“For you others abusing me, you can see now, I am 100 per cent Obidient. So you better be Obidient. We are together, and we are winning,” he added.
Responding, Obi urged supporters to embrace constructive criticism, saying many of those attacking Fayose online were not genuine members of his political movement.
“Half of the people that abuse you, they don’t follow us. What they do, when they hire people, they carry them, call them all sorts of names,” Obi said.
The former governor stressed that criticism was essential for good leadership and should not be viewed as hostility.
“The one thing I take is criticism. You can never be annoyed with anybody for saying I did something wrong.
“Anytime you have any reason to criticise, and when we are not doing what is right, please, I want to hear that I am wrong. It is important that we do that,” he said.
Obi added that effective leaders must remain open to learning and be willing to admit mistakes.
“If he doesn’t, he shouldn’t lead. He should just go, because he thinks he knows everything. And if you know everything, you are an idiot. You shouldn’t be a leader. A listener, a learner, always,” he said.
The meeting follows recent tension between the two men after Fayose complained that Obi had not appreciated his contributions to the 2023 presidential campaign.
Fayose had said he made personal sacrifices in support of Obi’s campaign, including making his hotel available to members of the Obidient Movement, but received no acknowledgement from the former presidential candidate.