2027: POMR Accuses Political Establishment, Media of Applying Double Standards in Scrutiny of Obi
The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR), through its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr, has criticised what it described as double standards in the scrutiny of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that Peter Obi is subjected to intense examination while the records of other political figures are treated with leniency.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Zekeri said the media office welcomed scrutiny of its principal but insisted that every presidential candidate must be assessed using the same rigorous standards.
The statement argued that every word spoken by Obi was dissected, while his past decisions and allegations against him were repeatedly revisited and amplified, even when such allegations were disputed or required further context.
According to the media office, the same level of scrutiny was not consistently applied to political figures associated with failed promises, economic hardship, insecurity, governance challenges and corruption allegations.
“Let us not use a microscope on Obi and a blindfold on others. Nigeria deserves equal standards—not selective outrage,” the statement declared.
POMR said it was not opposed to Nigerians examining Obi’s record, adding that the former Anambra State governor should be held accountable for his decisions and public positions. However, it maintained that scrutiny must extend to all candidates and political actors without prejudice.
The media office also referenced criticism from Governor Charles Soludo, alleging that some of Obi’s critics were attempting to manufacture flaws after failing to establish substantive shortcomings. The claim was presented as part of POMR’s broader argument concerning what it called selective scrutiny.
The statement further alleged that political figures described as traditional or establishment candidates were often assessed through the lens of political realism, with past scandals, policy failures, corruption allegations and transparency concerns explained as political compromises.
By contrast, it said Obi’s emphasis on reform, transparency and breaking away from the status quo had led some critics to demand an unrealistic standard of perfection from him.
POMR questioned what it described as inconsistent reactions to similar conduct by different politicians, arguing that when Obi makes an error, it is labelled incompetence, while comparable actions by other candidates are dismissed as human mistakes or political calculations.
“When Obi changes his position, it is called inconsistency. When others do the same, it is ‘politics.’ This is not objective scrutiny. It is selective outrage,” the statement said.
The media office also contrasted Obi’s alleged willingness to make institutional documents available to the public with what it described as efforts by other political actors to restrict public access to their records through legal proceedings.
POMR maintained that Nigerians had the right to demand transparency from every candidate, regardless of political affiliation, past office or level of influence.
The organisation stressed that Nigeria did not require a perfect president but needed a leader who could demonstrate competence, credibility and capacity to address the country’s challenges.
It consequently urged the media, political commentators and citizens to apply consistent standards when examining the records, policies, statements and qualifications of all presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“A New Nigeria is possible and will be O-K,” the statement concluded.
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