The controversial musician made his position known in a post shared on his Instagram page, where he openly admitted that his support for Obi was motivated by the fact that they belong to the same ethnic group.
Speed Darlington, who is known for his outspoken and often controversial comments on political and social issues, said he was not necessarily supporting the former governor because of the intelligence reflected in his speeches or public statements.
“I am going to support Peter Obi for president. Not because I see or hear the intelligence coming out of his mouth. I am supporting Peter Obi strictly because of tribe, because he is Igbo,” he wrote.
The singer’s declaration has introduced an ethnic dimension to the ongoing political discussions surrounding the 2027 general elections, with his comments suggesting that ethnic identity would be the determining factor in his choice of presidential candidate.
He also questioned the political records of other prominent figures being discussed in connection with the 2027 presidential contest, particularly former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
According to him, both politicians have occupied important political positions over the years, but he questioned what they had achieved to justify their continued relevance in national leadership discussions.
“The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know. Atiku and Amaechi have been statesmen for years, what did they accomplish? Who even wants a Fulani president?” he queried.
His remarks also reflected his reservations about the possibility of another Fulani politician emerging as Nigeria’s President, although he did not provide a detailed explanation for his position.
Speed Darlington further turned his criticism towards Nigerian politicians over their continued reliance on road construction promises during election campaigns.
He expressed disappointment that road infrastructure remained a major campaign issue in 2026, arguing that political leaders should have moved beyond making basic road construction promises after decades of governance.
“Shame on all Nigerian politicians for still using road to campaign. It is a big shame in 2026,” he stated.
The musician’s comments come as political activities and alignments gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians, political parties and supporters debating possible candidates, alliances and the issues expected to shape the contest.
Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). His supporters have continued to advocate his return to the presidential race, citing his previous campaign and proposed governance priorities.
Speed Darlington’s declaration, however, stands out for its unusually direct admission that ethnic considerations, rather than an assessment of a candidate’s intelligence or policy proposals, would determine his political support.
His comments have also renewed attention to the role of ethnicity in Nigeria’s electoral politics and the debate over whether political choices should be driven primarily by identity, competence, performance or policy direction.
