Nigerian businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose said Peter Obi never appreciated the financial support Fayose provided during the 2023 presidential election [1].
The dispute highlights the internal tensions and expectations regarding loyalty and recognition within the coalitions that formed around the Labour Party's candidacy during the 2023 cycle.
Fayose said that he spent money campaigning for Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, leading up to the general election in February 2023 [1], [2]. According to Fayose, the lack of public thanks or acknowledgment of his contributions has left him feeling unappreciated [1], [2].
"I spent money campaigning for Obi, he never appreciated me," Fayose said [1].
The businessman's comments focus on the personal and financial investments made to bolster Obi's visibility and reach across Nigeria. While the 2023 campaign saw a surge in grassroots support, Fayose said that some of the high-level financial contributions were overlooked by the candidate [1], [2].
Fayose has not specified the exact amount of money spent, but he said that the support was intended to aid Obi's path to the presidency [1]. The Labour Party candidate has not issued a public response to these specific claims of ingratitude [1], [2].
This disagreement comes as a reflection of the complex relationships between political candidates and their private financiers in Nigeria. Fayose's public airing of the grievance suggests a breakdown in the relationship between the commentator and the former candidate, a dynamic that often surfaces after election cycles conclude [1].
“"I spent money campaigning for Obi, he never appreciated me."”
This dispute underscores the volatile nature of political patronage in Nigeria, where private financial contributions are often tied to expectations of public recognition or political proximity. As the 2023 election results remain a point of contention for many, public grievances from former supporters can signal shifting alliances within the opposition movement.
