Obi’s Political Future at Risk if He Accepts VP Slot, Ononuju Warns

Katchy Ononuju, a former Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to his former principal, cautioning that accepting a vice presidential slot in any political arrangement—particularly under former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—would spell the end of Obi’s political relevance.

Speaking during an interview with Daily Post, Ononuju emphasized that Obi’s popularity was forged in the crucible of a nationwide youth-driven movement. He insisted that any alignment with old political figures or an acceptance of a subordinate role would not only betray the trust of his supporters but also dismantle the credibility Obi has painstakingly built.

“The moment Obi becomes vice president to anybody, the youths will walk away,” Ononuju warned, stressing that Obi’s symbolic value lies in his independence from Nigeria’s old political order.

According to Ononuju, the 2023 presidential campaign transformed Obi into more than a candidate; it turned him into a symbol of hope for millions of Nigerian youths disillusioned by the status quo. Any compromise on that symbol—such as accepting a VP role—would amount to a surrender of the very ideals that earned Obi such massive grassroots support.

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A Movement Bigger Than Politics

Ononuju, who claims to be one of the initiators of the youth movement that propelled Obi’s campaign, revealed that the idea of a “Southern Presidential Campaign” was planted long before Obi officially declared his candidacy. He recounted early meetings with political actors such as Omoba and Doyin Okupe, designed to promote the concept of a president from the South.

“At the start, Peter never agreed. He said he would never go against Atiku,” Ononuju recalled. However, persistent mobilization eventually swayed Obi, who then chose to run under the Labour Party banner. That decision, Ononuju noted, cemented his image as an independent voice and solidified his standing among Nigeria’s politically aware youth.

“This is not just about running for office; it is about representing a generational shift,” he added. “The youth are not just voters; they are stakeholders in this new political identity. If Obi betrays that trust, the movement dies—and so does his political relevance.”

Vice Presidency: A Historical Trap?

Ononuju further pointed to Nigeria’s political history, describing the vice presidency as a position historically designed to silence and sideline. Drawing from past administrations, he referenced examples such as Yemi Osinbajo, Atiku Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan, who, in his view, were politically “muted” during their tenure as vice presidents.

“In every single administration, the voice of the vice president does not matter; it is muted. And if he complains, he is degraded,” he stated. “As a student and teacher of history, I know this for sure. It is difficult to recover after you have been smashed as the vice president.”

For Ononuju, the issue is not just a tactical one but a matter of long-term political survival. He argues that if Obi sacrifices the independent image he now carries, it will be nearly impossible to regain the moral authority and public goodwill that defined his 2023 presidential run.

Youth Support: A Double-Edged Sword

While Obi’s youth-driven momentum has been celebrated as revolutionary, Ononuju acknowledged that it also demands loyalty. The young Nigerians who rallied behind Obi during the last general election did so under the belief that he represented a clean break from conventional politics.

Any move to become a vice-presidential candidate, especially under a figure like Atiku Abubakar—who represents the political establishment Obi has long criticized—would be perceived as hypocrisy. “They will not accept it,” Ononuju said flatly. “Obi will die as a political icon if he abandons the youth.”

This sentiment underscores the delicate balance political figures like Obi must navigate—between coalition-building for electoral success and staying true to the ideological frameworks that brought them national attention.

The Road Ahead: Stand Alone or Fade Away?

As Nigeria begins gearing up for the next general election cycle, speculation around political alliances and potential running mates will intensify. However, Ononuju’s warning suggests that for Peter Obi, political success may depend more on principled isolation than on strategic partnerships.

Whether Obi will heed this advice or opt for a more pragmatic approach remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the stakes are high. The path he chooses next could determine not just his future, but also the fate of the broader political movement he now embodies.