President Bola Tinubu’s government has mocked former Anambra Governor and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, over his involvement in the newly formed coalition of opposition politicians—many of whom he once accused of running a “structure of criminality.”

“One of the members of the coalition of internally displaced politicians who are on a wild goose chase pursuing a dead-on-arrival mission, better described in the words of @PeterObi as ‘a structure of criminality,’” presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala said in a post on X on Sunday.

Leading up to the 2023 presidential election, Mr Obi, who was the flagbearer of the Labour Party, dismissed claims that he had no political structure to win the 2023 election.

“They told you I have no structure. What they have is structure of criminality, structure of fuel scarcity, structure of poverty,” Mr Obi said during a rally at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu

Berating Mr Obi for aligning with the same politicians he had previously condemned, Mr Bwala added, “Surprisingly, the same Peter Obi has joined the structure of criminality.”

The presidential spokesperson also took a swipe at Mr Obi’s supporters, known as Obidients, saying, “The Obidient movement are so ashamed that after calling people names about changing political parties and direction, are seeing their very own idol demonstrating anywhere belle face; PDP-APGA-PDP-Labour-ADC.”

Mr Bwala’s statement comes as Mr Obi confirmed jis involvement in a coalition of opposition politicians that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their official platform to challenge Mr Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Obi, who contested against Mr Tinubu and came third in the 2023 presidential election, has remained a vocal opposition figure and critic of the current administration.

The former Anambra governor frequently criticises Mr Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that Nigeria needs a competent leader with character.