In a scathing critique that has reverberated through Nigeria’s political landscape, activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has dismissed Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition as little more than “entertainment” for his devoted supporters, popularly known as the Obidients.
“Only people who don’t understand Nigerian politics or Bola Tinubu take Obi’s 2027 ambition seriously,” Adeyanju asserted. “He’s just entertaining his Obidients.”
The remark reflects a growing sentiment among political insiders: Nigeria’s opposition remains deeply fragmented, and questions persist over whether Obi’s movement has the structural depth, strategic coherence, or nationwide appeal to mount a credible challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should he seek re-election.
Peter Obi, who galvanized millions during the 2023 election—particularly among urban youth and first-time voters—emerged as a political phenomenon rather than a traditional candidate. His Labour Party campaign stood as a rejection of the entrenched political establishment. Yet critics like Adeyanju argue that beyond its social media clout and electoral enthusiasm, Obi’s movement lacks the grassroots political machinery necessary to unseat a seasoned political force like Tinubu.
Tinubu, a master tactician and longtime kingmaker, continues to wield significant influence through the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), control of state institutions, and a web of strategic alliances.
Adeyanju’s comments may foreshadow a dominant narrative in the run-up to 2027: Is Nigeria poised for a populist breakthrough, or will the entrenched political order maintain its grip on power?
Obi’s supporters, undeterred by such criticism, dismiss Adeyanju’s remarks as elitist and out of touch with the grassroots frustrations fueling their movement. For them, Obi represents a beacon of transparency, youth empowerment, and economic renewal in a nation grappling with inflation, insecurity, and growing public disillusionment.
Still, a critical question remains: Can idealism translate into electoral victory under Nigeria’s winner-takes-all system? Can a movement driven by digital activism and urban discontent overcome rural patronage networks and institutional incumbency?
Though the 2027 race is still distant, Adeyanju’s blunt assessment serves as a sobering reminder—not just for Obi’s supporters but for the entire opposition bloc. Without unity and a compelling, nationally resonant strategy, critics warn the opposition could once again fall short, as it did in 2023.
As political alliances quietly take shape and power dynamics begin to shift behind closed doors, one reality is becoming evident: the 2027 election will not merely pit personalities against one another—it will be a clash of systems, ideologies, and the future of Nigeria’s democratic identity.
