Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions over the visit of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed to popular bandits’ negotiator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
Obi surprised many when he took to his Twitter account to disclose he made a courtesy visit to Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna state.
“Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed and I stopped by for a courtesy call on Sheikh Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna,” Obi tweeted.
The tweet had photos of himself, his running mate with Gumi and other northerners amid a crowd in Gumi’s residence.
Since the post, many have condemned Obi for visiting Gumi who has been sympathetic with the bandits wreaking havoc in the country, while others praised the presidential candidate, describing the visit as a political one.
Below here are some of the reactions harvested from Twitter;
“HE @PeterObi pays a courtesy visit with his VP Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed to Sheikh Gumi while visiting Kaduna.
“A lot of work is being done to reach out to as many people as possible in this drive to build a new Nigeria that will be beneficial to all of us.”
“@PeterObi visit to Dr. Gumi is very important because Dr. Gumi is one of the respected Sheikh and influential in the North people listen to him, seeing him with Obi alone will make some people join the movement because he give Obi audience that shows how important @PeterObi is.”(Zamaromar).
“Politics go carry you go where you no know. You’d be defending things you won’t normally defend, even if it makes you sound stupid.
Most of you sound so silly and delusional with your defence for Gumi and Eneche. But that’s what politics does to people.”(MrOdnaz)
“Peter Obi the political beggar went to beg Bandit spokesman Gumi in Kaduna for Support. Well done Youth president.” (@Qdpaper2).
“Gumi is topping the chart because Obi visited him in Kaduna. Suleiman Obi aka Okwute is a perfect unifier. Lobbying for votes is politics. Without votes, Competency won’t work in isolation. Get votes first before we correct bigotry by appointing competent leaders.(@@Dawa911)
“Peter Obi is contesting to be president of Nigeria as a whole. He will dialogue with everyone, even the ones you feel are your enemies. Sheikh Gumi isn’t the only Nigerian Peter Obi will meet that you won’t like. He will meet every Nigerian. Thank you.”(@ @novieverest)
“Same people that called Sheikh Gumi a National threat are now singing his praises because Peter Obi took pictures with him. Nigeria Politics is a dirty game.” (@_AsiwajuLerry)