Usman Yusuf, professor of haematology-oncology and former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), says Peter Obi is not politically sellable in northern Nigeria.
Yusuf spoke during an interview with DCL English.
The former NHIS boss said Obi would struggle to gain acceptance across the region if he fails to address concerns some northerners have about him.
“Peter Obi is not sellable in the North, and this is the honest truth,” he said.
“I know not how to lie. Peter Obi cannot penetrate the North. End of story.”
According to Yusuf, northerners will scrutinise Obi’s record as governor of Anambra state.
“We are going to interrogate his tenure as the governor of Anambra State, eight-year governor, what he did to Northerners,” he said.
Furthermore, Yusuf said Obi must address questions about his position on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We are going to interrogate his association and refusal to dissociate himself from IPOB,” he said.
He added that Obi should personally engage northern voters rather than relying on surrogates to defend him.
“Come talk to us,” Yusuf said.
The former NHIS boss also criticised Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, describing it as overly focused on Christian groups.
“He went around churches during his 2023 campaign,” he said.
“Take your country back. Take your country back from whom?”
According to Yusuf, Obi still has questions to answer before many northern voters can feel comfortable supporting him.
Meanwhile, he dismissed suggestions that Rabiu Kwankwaso could help Obi gain significant support in the north.
“That’s why he brought Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, thinking that he will help him make a road into the Muslim north,” he said.
Yusuf stressed that northerners would independently decide who to support in the 2027 election.
“We have a right to vote for whoever we want to vote for. Nobody will impose any candidate on us,” he said.
In addition, Yusuf declared his support for an Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi ticket.
He described both politicians as experienced public office holders with broad national appeal.
“I have no doubt today and ever that the ticket that will be best for this country will be Atiku and Amaechi,” he said.
Yusuf noted that Atiku has remained a major political figure for decades, while Amaechi has served as speaker, governor and minister.
“People are more comfortable with him in the north,” he said.
Yusuf reiterated his opposition to both Obi and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Of the three main candidates, Peter Obi is not sellable in the north,” he said.
“Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi will be the ticket that I will support, that I will campaign for.”
