Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown praised for endorsing a Nigerian presidential candidate

Brampton | Mississauga | Latest News | Politics |

By

Published August 29, 2022 at 4:46 pm

mayor patrick brown
Mayor Patrick Brown photo

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is earning praise for endorsing one of the presidential candidates for Nigeria at a weekend event but he says he didn’t endorse the politician, he only attended the event.

Nigerian Canadians gathered at the Hilton Toronto Airport and Suites in Mississauga on Sunday to meet Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Gregory Obi.

“Had a great time tonight with the Nigerian Canadian community in Peel Region and special guest Peter Gregory Obi,” Mayor Brown tweeted. “I love our growing and dynamic Nigerian Canadian community in #Brampton!”

Obi is the Labour Party candidate for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria. He is not seen as a front-runner but is generating excitement amongst younger voters, according to news reports. Although voter turnout has been low in Nigeria, double-digit inflation and insecurity may push more people to vote next year.

Those gathered at the event on Sunday praised Brown for endorsing Obi and encouraging the Nigerian diaspora to speak to their relatives back home to vote.

“The mayor of Brampton, Canada, Patrick Brown has openly endorsed Peter Obi, asking Nigerians in Canada to encourage their relatives in Nigeria to vote for Peter Obi,” one person tweeted. “Peter Obi is a man respected by the international community!!!”

But in an email to inSauga Brown says he didn’t endorse Obi but simply attended the event. He did speak on stage during the event.

“I know when you are successful, Nigeria is going to be a destination… to invest, to help grow businesses,” Brown said. “The tech scene in Nigeria is one of the best in the world.”

Initial tweets indicated it was Toronto Mayor John Tory who spoke at the event. But several people corrected that mistake.

INsauga's Editorial Standards and Policies