Peter Obi Is an Illiterate – Raimi

Development and economic expert, Dr. Taofiq Raimi, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his recent comments about university professors and the electoral process.

Raimi, who spoke on Arise News, accused Obi of making a sweeping generalisation after the former Anambra State governor alleged that some university professors had contributed to the emergence of illiterates as presidents.

According to Raimi, Obi committed what he described as the “fallacy of unqualified generalisation” by referring broadly to professors rather than identifying specific individuals.

“Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of NDC, has continued to generalise. You can’t say professors. He has committed a fallacy called fallacy of unqualified generalization,” Raimi said.

He argued that misconduct exists across different professions and should not be attributed to an entire group based on the actions of a few individuals.

“He said professors, how many of them? There are bad eggs everywhere, even in journalism, even in acting,” he added.

Raimi further turned Obi’s argument against him, referring to the NDC candidate’s description of some people as illiterates.

“Peter Obi talked about professors helping illiterates. That also means he is an illiterate because he himself has just collected form to contest as an aspirant of his party,” he said.

Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria’s Institutions

Obi had raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial institutions while speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital.

During the event, the former Anambra governor criticised what he perceived as the weakening of key democratic institutions, accusing some academics of facilitating electoral malpractice, legislators of undermining electoral regulations and prominent lawyers of supporting alleged acts of forgery.

Obi also referenced his personal experience of challenging election results in court as he argued that Nigeria’s democratic institutions needed stronger safeguards.

His remarks have since attracted reactions, including Raimi’s criticism that the NDC presidential candidate should avoid making blanket statements about entire professional groups.

The exchange comes ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and their candidates intensify debates over Nigeria’s electoral system, governance and the state of democratic institutions.