Independent National Electoral Commission has endorsed a report dismissing Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as an “opportunist” and a “capitalist.”

INEC, via its official Twitter page, liked a Premium Times report, ‘Peter Obi: An opportunist, won’t save Nigeria – Seun Kuti’. In the story, the son of Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo, dismissed Labour Party’s presidential candidate as a capitalist.

“He hasn’t had the time because he started too late. You can’t be telling me that just because you lost PDP primaries 18 months before the election, you suddenly started a movement, and you have a plan for the country,” Mr Kuti explained.

He added, “No, that’s opportunism. And it’s not an opportunist that will deliver Nigeria—not jumping on Labour Party. The Labour Party has a socialist structure. Peter Obi is a capitalist. Where are they going?” 

Mr Obi, who said he wishes Nigeria well, expressed doubt about what will happen next to Nigeria if he and his party lose the February 25 presidential election.

“If we get it wrong, nobody can tell what next will happen. In all I am doing, I will always wish Nigeria the best,” Mr Obi stressed. “I know you will, too and in doing that, I urge you to be part of the new Nigeria Datti and I are fighting for.”

Mr Obi stated this at a public presentation of the book, ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’ this week in Abuja, reiterating his commitment to a “new Nigeria.”

“We are committed to it; as I told all the supporters, we need people. We need all of you to support us, especially in these final days to reach the end of this phase. Nigeria has suffered a lot,” stated the former Anambra governor.

 “This is a great country that can be turned around. We cannot succeed without your intervention, so as you launch this book, please be part of what we are doing to change Nigeria,” he added. 

A spokesman for INEC later told Peoples Gazette that the ‘like’ was an error, which is common among social media users, emphasising the institution’s neutrality in elections and other statutory functions. Another check by The Gazette showed INEC has since unliked the controversial tweet. 

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect INEC’s comment that the disparaging post was ‘liked’ in error by an official. The office’s reaction was not sought prior to initial publication. The error is regretted.