James Kitiya, a former supporter of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has opened up about his decision to withdraw support for the former Anambra State governor.
The revelation came after Kitiya was spotted at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award ceremony wearing a cap emblazoned with President Bola Tinubu’s insignia. The moment drew widespread attention when he joined a group of young Nigerians who surrounded Obi upon his arrival at the venue to greet him and take photographs.
A video of the encounter, showing Kitiya walking alongside Obi and other youths into the event hall at Eko Hotel, quickly went viral on social media. Reactions were mixed: some praised Obi for his composure in interacting warmly with someone openly displaying support for his political rival, while others expressed surprise at the apparent closeness.
Kitiya, who said he actively worked for Obi’s presidential campaign in the Apapa area of Lagos, later shared an old photograph of himself to affirm his past loyalty to the “Obidient” movement.According to Kitiya, Obi immediately recognized him during the encounter and appeared visibly shocked. “When Obi saw me, he was shocked because he had seen my face before. People didn’t know why Obi dey look me,” he recounted.
The two later had a private conversation inside the Eko Hotel, joined by a third person identified as Dr. Moses. Kitiya said he confronted Obi directly.“I asked him, ‘Do you know why I left?’ Obi did not talk,” Kitiya claimed.
During the discussion, Kitiya alleged that some of Obi’s key supporters in Lagos had been “bought” or compromised. He advised the former governor to take firmer control of his political structure in the state.“I told him to hold his strong supporters in Lagos. Some of his supporters in Lagos have been bought,” he said.
Kitiya added that Obi asked what he should do, and he responded with a condition for possibly returning to his camp: “If you leave Atiku, I will support you.” He noted that Dr. Moses was a witness to the exchange.Explaining his departure from the Obidient movement, Kitiya cited confusion over Obi’s political direction.
“I told Obi that I was confused because of his way. If I dey confused, make I hide am? Person wey I don work for before,” he said.He eventually defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State in February.
The incident at the Vanguard Awards has sparked fresh conversations online about shifting political loyalties and the enduring influence of Nigeria’s 2023 election alliances.
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