The political drama continues as Dr Josef Onoh, former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, has lashed out at Labour Party leader Peter Obi, following Obi’s criticism of Tinubu’s recent condolence visit to Benue State.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, had earlier faulted President Tinubu’s choice of attire during the Benue visit. Obi accused the President of prioritising appearance over genuine empathy, saying Tinubu wore celebratory clothing rather than appropriate mourning attire for the occasion.
In a swift and scathing response, Onoh dismissed Obi’s remarks, claiming the former Anambra governor was suffering from “body dysmorphic disorder” — an excessive obsession with appearance.
According to Onoh, Obi’s fixation on the President’s clothing colour stems from “a heightened sensitivity to aesthetics” that causes emotional reactions based on appearances.
Onoh further argued that Obi’s criticism was misguided because it failed to take into account religious and cultural differences in mourning customs. “President Tinubu is a Muslim, while Obi is a Christian — and on that foundation alone, Obi’s argument is flawed,” Onoh said.
He explained that across Africa, there is no universally accepted mourning attire that applies to both Muslims and Christians. “Practices differ greatly by region, culture, and religion,” he added.
Onoh clarified that in Islamic traditions, there is no strict dress code for mourning, except for widows, who observe the Iddah mourning period, during which they wear modest, simple clothing and avoid adornments.
“There is no command in the Qur’an or Hadith that mandates black attire for mourning,” Onoh pointed out. “Rather, modest and somber clothing is simply encouraged.”
Onoh further suggested that Obi’s criticism was shaped by his Christian background, particularly Catholic and urban Christian customs where dark suits or dresses are typically worn at funerals, while brighter colours may be chosen for “celebrations of life” services.
For now, Onoh insists that President Tinubu’s choice of attire in Benue was neither inappropriate nor disrespectful, adding that the Presidency “is not a tailor shop” subject to such petty scrutiny. The political back-and-forth is likely to continue as both camps stand firm on their positions.
The political drama continues as Dr Josef Onoh, former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, has lashed out at Labour Party leader Peter Obi, following Obi’s criticism of Tinubu’s recent condolence visit to Benue State.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, had earlier faulted President Tinubu’s choice of attire during the Benue visit. Obi accused the President of prioritising appearance over genuine empathy, saying Tinubu wore celebratory clothing rather than appropriate mourning attire for the occasion.
In a swift and scathing response, Onoh dismissed Obi’s remarks, claiming the former Anambra governor was suffering from “body dysmorphic disorder” — an excessive obsession with appearance.
According to Onoh, Obi’s fixation on the President’s clothing colour stems from “a heightened sensitivity to aesthetics” that causes emotional reactions based on appearances.
Onoh further argued that Obi’s criticism was misguided because it failed to take into account religious and cultural differences in mourning customs. “President Tinubu is a Muslim, while Obi is a Christian — and on that foundation alone, Obi’s argument is flawed,” Onoh said.
He explained that across Africa, there is no universally accepted mourning attire that applies to both Muslims and Christians. “Practices differ greatly by region, culture, and religion,” he added.
Onoh clarified that in Islamic traditions, there is no strict dress code for mourning, except for widows, who observe the Iddah mourning period, during which they wear modest, simple clothing and avoid adornments.
“There is no command in the Qur’an or Hadith that mandates black attire for mourning,” Onoh pointed out. “Rather, modest and somber clothing is simply encouraged.”
Onoh further suggested that Obi’s criticism was shaped by his Christian background, particularly Catholic and urban Christian customs where dark suits or dresses are typically worn at funerals, while brighter colours may be chosen for “celebrations of life” services.
For now, Onoh insists that President Tinubu’s choice of attire in Benue was neither inappropriate nor disrespectful, adding that the Presidency “is not a tailor shop” subject to such petty scrutiny. The political back-and-forth is likely to continue as both camps stand firm on their positions.
