Nigeria’s presidential election: Will polls translate to Peter Obi’s victory

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi is going into the February 25 election as a frontrunner doing good numbers in polls, months after his ambition was dismissed by those who now see him as a threat.

Obi emerged as the LP flagbearer on May 30, 2022, days after resigning his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party. In the 2019 election, he was the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, who, again, won PDP’s 2023 presidential ticket at the Abuja special convention.

In a speech after defecting, the former Anambra governor decried how those who should take care of people’s welfare were spending dollars on delegates, turning Nigeria into a laughing stock.

The popularity of the 61-year-old ex-bank chief surged after he joined forces with the LP and a section of the youth demographic took his ambition as a personal project, campaigning on and off social media.

Replying to mockers who said the LP has no “structure” (offices and members in 774 local government areas), Obi’s followers―known as Obidients―usually describe themselves as the structure that would mobilize the grassroots.

Obi, known for his “from consumption to production” advocacy, promises to fight corruption and insecurity, create jobs and a conducive environment for businesses, and improve education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy.

The candidate has received endorsements from prominent individuals including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Benue Governor Samuel Ortom, Yoruba leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Ijaw leader Edwin Clark and Prof Pat Utomi among others.

Obi, whose campaign is led by Obasanjo’s associate Akin Osuntokun, also has the support of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).