When Peter Obi announced his candidacy under the Labour Party in 2022, few predicted a third-party candidate could seriously challenge the APC and PDP. What followed changed how Nigerians think about elections.
Building from Nothing
Obi joined Labour Party in May 2022, less than a year before the election. The party had no incumbents and no patronage machinery but gained the most active social media campaign in Nigerian electoral history.
The Results
Obi won 6,101,533 votes carrying 12 states and the FCT where he beat both Tinubu and Atiku. Among voters aged 18 to 34 his share was dramatically higher than his national average.
Looking to 2027
With the APC government navigating difficult economic conditions including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the naira’s sharp devaluation, there is significant speculation about whether a reformed Obidient movement could mount an even stronger challenge in 2027.