Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has publicly criticised supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, warning that their behaviour could negatively affect his future political prospects.

In a series of posts shared on X on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa described Obi’s supporters, widely known as Obidients, in harsh terms and said their conduct might undermine his chances ahead of the 2027 elections. She argued that Obi should take responsibility for their actions and rein them in.

According to her, failure to address the situation could ultimately work against the former presidential candidate if he seeks higher office again. She maintained that the tone and approach of some supporters risk alienating potential allies and voters.

Dabiri-Erewa also stood by her decision to respond to critics on social media, insisting that holding public office does not prevent her from expressing personal views online. She dismissed suggestions that she should ignore comments directed at her, stating that her account is personal and that she has the right to engage.

Her remarks came in the wake of reactions from Obi’s supporters to an earlier post in which she shared details of her visit to Silicon Valley in the United States. During the trip, she said she met Nigerian professionals contributing to innovation and development, and also experienced a ride in a driverless vehicle.

The exchange has since generated debate online, with differing views on the role of political supporters and the responsibility of public figures in moderating discourse ahead of future elections.