ABUJA, NIGERIA – Labaran Maku, the immediate past information minister, admitted on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that many, including himself, underestimated the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his “Obidient” movement.
Obi, a former two-term Anambra State governor, emerged as a third-force candidate, surprising the nation. Despite being dismissed as lacking a political structure, Obi garnered over six million votes and won in 11 states, finishing third in the recently concluded election.
During the breakfast show on Tuesday, Maku, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, acknowledged that opposition politicians never gave Obi and his supporters a chance.
Maku said, “What happened in the presidential election, as you could see was that there was this wave of young people, the ‘Obidients’ that we all took for granted, and we thought Peter Obi was a joke. Where would he go?”
“So, both PDP and the APC, we were thinking ‘This man does not have structure. He will not be able to do so much’.”
Maku emphasised that young people defied expectations and demonstrated unprecedented engagement in the 2023 elections.
“But the young people seized the initiative from the politicians…and they took advantage of social media to project a programme which has shaken the nation,” Maku added.
Although Maku conceded that the PDP lost the presidential election in Nasarawa State to the LP, he questioned the legitimacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s governorship victory.
He argued that the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were concocted.
The political movement led by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, has taken Nigeria by storm, defying expectations and capturing the attention of millions of citizens.
The “Obidient” movement has garnered a massive following, especially among the nation’s youth, who have been inspired by his message of change and progress.
Despite initial dismissals as lacking a political structure, Obi demonstrated his appeal by securing over six million votes and winning in 11 states during the recent elections, finishing an impressive third place.
This unprecedented showing is a testament to the strength and influence of the movement, which has managed to shake up the political landscape in Nigeria.
Utilising social media to their advantage, the “Obidients” have effectively harnessed the power of technology to project their program and vision for the nation.
This has enabled them to seize the initiative from established politicians and engage young voters, who have proven instrumental in driving the movement’s success.
The Obidient movement has served as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s traditional political parties, highlighting the importance of addressing the concerns and aspirations of the younger generation.
