Peter Omoniyi Gidado
In early 2022, shortly after former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi declared his presidential ambition, a wave of enthusiastic supporters—primarily young, social media-savvy Nigerians—emerged with a renewed political consciousness. Their goal was clear: to effect change and challenge the status quo.
The Obidient Movement, as they came to be known, rallied en masse against a ruling class they accused of looting Nigeria’s national patrimony. They entered the political stage with an electrifying force, demanding better leadership and governance. To them, Peter Obi was the beacon of hope—the one who could rescue Nigeria from the grip of corrupt and inept leadership.
However, as time passed and the political atmosphere grew more intense in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, the movement, which had begun as a formidable force for change, became increasingly fanatical and overly sentimental. Their unwavering loyalty to Obi gradually transformed into intolerance for dissenting opinions.
Regrettably, the Obidient Movement began to exhibit the very traits they had denounced in the political establishment—intolerance, hostility, and aggression. What had started as a movement driven by hope and a desire for reform descended into a faction marked by unchecked passion, sometimes bordering on outright hostility. They labeled anyone who did not support Obi’s candidacy an enemy, even if those individuals had previously been allies in the struggle for good governance. Many political actors who once aligned with Obi found themselves at the receiving end of harsh criticisms and personal attacks from the movement’s members.
The much-anticipated 2023 presidential election was held, and Peter Obi lost to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a tightly contested race. Despite running on the platform of the Labour Party, which had little nationwide presence before his candidacy, Obi’s performance was commendable.
However, following the election, the Obidients—especially those dominating social media—reacted with outrage, calling for the cancellation of the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Their arguments were often laced with emotion rather than facts, with many insisting that Obi had won without presenting compelling evidence. A large section of the movement, particularly first-time voters, resorted to cursing and condemning the country and its leaders with reckless abandon. Their responses often lacked strategic depth, making them appear more as reactionaries than a serious political force.
2027: Lessons Must Be Learned
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the Obidient Movement must undergo a critical transformation. It is imperative that its members receive proper political orientation and education, areas in which they were evidently deficient in 2023. The National Coordinator of the movement, Tanko Yunusa, must take the lead in restructuring and re-educating supporters on viable strategies for winning elections. The mistakes of 2023 should not be repeated, or else the movement will once again become an obstacle to Obi’s electoral ambitions.
One key lesson to take forward is that social media noise does not win elections. While online activism is useful for mobilization and awareness, elections are won at the grassroots. The movement must prioritize structured political engagement over social media theatrics. A well-organized, on-the-ground political machinery must be established, with efforts focused on local wards where actual votes are cast.
A strategic shift toward door-to-door campaigns, community outreach, and voter education should take precedence. Instead of engaging in unproductive online battles, the movement must concentrate on selling Obi’s ideas and vision to everyday Nigerians—farmers, traders, artisans, and civil servants—who may not be on social media but are critical to electoral success.
Additionally, social media should be used more productively—to propagate Obi’s policies, highlight his governance philosophy, and build a compelling case for why he deserves to lead. The toxic exchanges and ethnic profiling that characterized much of the movement’s online discourse in 2023 must be discarded. A more refined, issue-based approach should be adopted to build credibility and broaden Obi’s appeal beyond his core supporters.
The Obidient Movement cannot afford to repeat the strategic missteps that contributed to Obi’s defeat in 2023. Now is the time to build formidable grassroots structures, engage in meaningful political mobilization, and connect with the electorate where it matters most—at the local level.
* Peter Omoniyi Gidado, a Postgraduate student of Journalism writes from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. He can be reached via undisputedpog@gmail.com.