Isa El-Buba, a Plateau-based cleric, says he is now supporting Adewale Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for 2027 because he is a courageous man of consistent character who fought for the SDP’s survival while Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress dumped the Labour Party in crisis.

Mr El-Buba, who rallied support for Mr Obi in 2023, expressed his disappointment in Mr Obi’s leadership in an interview with Mic On on Saturday, explaining why he is now endorsing Mr Adebayo of the SDP.

“From what has happened, Peter Obi has no businesses leaving Labour Party runing here and there. God gave Peter Obi Nigerians. Nigerians paid the price. Nigerians gave their time. Nigerians gave their lives. We suspended our individual projects. Because we needed somebody who does not steal. Based in some of the things he did while he was governor, we gave him the support,” Mr El-Buba said.

Asked if he was “disappointed” in Mr Obi, Mr El-Buba said the former Anambra governor disappointed “in the area of defending his mandate, standing to for this ordinary people who paid the price. People took the shots for Peter Obi.”

Explaining what Mr Obi could have done differently, Mr El-Buba said, “He could have led them. He could have stood. He could jave build that party. He could have stood for the people. A leader would stand and fight. That is why Peter Obi lost so much people who believed in him.”

Out of all presidential candidates, Mr El-Buba said, “I discovered Prince Adewale Adebayo, a young man that is courageous, he stood and fought for SDP survival. He fought in the judiciary to ensure those somersaulting injuctions by court and INEC were cleaned up. I studied his personal life; his consistency, I see he has the character, competence and has the courage.”

A few months ago, Mr El-Buba endorsed the SDP presidential candidate for 2027. However, Mr Obi has yet to address Mr El-Buba’s exit from his political camp.