Two weeks after the Anambra governorship election, the results continue to generate discussion. The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lost his polling unit in the exercise, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, won the election and the APC candidate came in second. In Obi’s polling unit in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, the APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, secured 73 votes, compared with 57 votes for the Labour Party.
This outcome has sparked reactions, with some questioning Obi’s popularity. Others argue that his popularity remains intact, noting that he was not on the ballot for the governorship election. Before the vote, Obi openly endorsed the Labour Party’s candidate, George Moghalu, and campaigned for him on social media and on the streets of Anambra. The Obidient Movement Coordinator, Tanko, also said that the movement’s structures were in place across the state. Despite this support, the Labour Party’s candidate did not perform well.
The APC in Lagos State urged Obi to forget about the 2027 presidential election, citing his failure to win his polling unit as a sign of weakness. Party spokesman Seye Oladejo questioned how Obi could rule Nigeria when he could not win in his own polling unit. Conversely, Barrister Emma Ibediro, a former National Organising Secretary of the APC, downplayed the significance of Obi’s loss, stating that Obi himself was not on the ballot and therefore his popularity was not being tested. Ibediro argued that Obi’s focus is on a higher office and that his popularity will be tested when he is on the ballot.
The election outcome also generated reactions on social media. Some users questioned Obi’s influence and popularity, while others defended him, noting that he was not a candidate in the election and that his popularity will be tested in future contests. The debate surrounding Obi’s popularity and influence is likely to continue, particularly as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
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