John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, a Nigerian comic actor, on Wednesday, joined a rally held for Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Jos, Plateau State, despite having previously endorsing Bola Tinubu.
A large crowd trooped out on Wednesday evening to receive Obi and Yusuf Datti, his running mate, in Jos.
The visit came as the campaign season for the 2023 election officially kicked off in accordance with the timetable.
The crowd and Obi’s team assembled at Rwang Pam township stadium for the rally amid cheers from supporters.
In the crowd was Mr Ibu who would later take to the podium to deliver a short solidarity speech for Obi.
“He is ready to rule us. He is ready to take up the seat of the president. I want you to be Obidient,” he said.
Mr. Ibu, among a number of other Nollywood personalities had previously endorsed Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising questions as to where his loyalty truly lies.
He was earlier at an event themed ‘South West Stands with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’ where he endorsed the former Lagos governor’s bid to contest for president in the 2023 election.
The move stirred up remarks on how politicians leverage the fame of comedians to advance their campaigns.
Responding to the backlash in a video, Mr said he had attended the Tinubu event on an invitation.
“People approached me on Tinubu’s interest in contesting for president. Anything that has to do with anybody and they want me to talk about it, they’ll come and address me on that and I’ll know directions,” he had said.
“These are my people. Anyone I visited, probably on an invitation, is because I’m an actor. They want me to assist in one way or the other with regard to whatever they are doing. That doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my fathers.
“I didn’t. Everyone is contesting. May God help them. Anyone who wins, let them win. It has been like that.”
