A chieftain of African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Kenneth Okonkwo, has mocked Peter Obi following his attendance at the inauguration of the presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Okonkwo made the remark during an interview with News Central while explaining why the ADC was not represented at the event held in Abuja on Monday.

The event was organised in connection with Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

According to Okonkwo, the inauguration was essentially an APM affair and did not warrant the participation of ADC leaders.

“As far as I’m concerned, that is an APM affair and it should be attributed to APM,” he said.

He, however, took a swipe at politicians who attended the event, apparently referring to Obi and other political figures who were present.

Okonkwo suggested that some politicians would attend virtually any gathering once they received an invitation.

“Those people that were there—even if you had invited them for naming ceremony or birthday party—they are known for people who like to wave to people,” he said.

“Even if there’s no crowd, they will still be waving to trees. It’s just normal for them. If you’re doing anything and you call them, they will come.”

Obi, the presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was among the prominent political figures who attended the inauguration and used the occasion to express support for Makinde’s presidential bid.

The NDC presidential candidate described Makinde as his “dear brother” and affirmed that the Oyo governor was qualified to seek the presidency in 2027.

“We want a Nigeria of unity, inclusion; we have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified,” Obi said.

Obi said his presence at the event should not be interpreted as desperation but as an expression of solidarity and a demonstration of his belief that Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their preferred leaders in the 2027 election.

He also called for issue-based politics, urging political leaders to focus on the economic and social challenges confronting Nigerians rather than allowing political disagreements to deepen divisions.

According to him, poverty, hunger and other hardships facing citizens should take precedence over political quarrels as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.