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.
