******South to North, The Data Tells All: Obi Outshines Atiku And Tinubu, A current Force In Nigerian Politics
The 2023 Nigerian presidential election unveiled a seismic shift in the nation’s political terrain. At the heart of this transformation stood Peter Obi, a candidate without the muscle of traditional political machinery, yet one who reshaped expectations and energized millions. The numbers don’t lie. Obi’s electoral strength—especially in Southern Nigeria and his notable presence in the North—exposed both the vulnerabilities of entrenched figures like Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the power of a movement built on message rather than money.
In the South, Obi recorded a commanding 44.5% of the vote. Tinubu trailed with 35.5%, Atiku with 19.4%, and Kwankwaso a distant 0.46%. These figures reflect more than a win—they mark a landslide victory without the backing of governors, senators, or institutional godfathers. Just as he once did with APGA in Anambra, defeating the PDP juggernaut to become governor, Obi has again proven his ability to outmatch powerful structures with people power.
In the North, Tinubu led with 38.9%, followed by Atiku with 35.2%. Obi secured 15.2%, while Kwankwaso had 10.9%. Though not dominant in the North, Obi’s performance remains significant. He achieved this with no northern political base, showing clear inroads into a region often resistant to outsiders. More telling, however, is Atiku’s failure to convincingly win the North, despite decades of regional engagement. Had Atiku performed in the North as Obi did in the South, Tinubu would not be president today.
Atiku’s campaign leaned heavily on the PDP’s structure: 13 governors, 38 senators, 122 House of Representatives members, and hundreds of state assembly loyalists. Despite this, he garnered the same 6 million votes as Peter Obi—who had none of those. This stark contrast lays bare the fragility of Atiku’s appeal and highlights the potency of Obi’s message-driven campaign.
The data is undeniable: Peter Obi is not a regional candidate. He is a national movement. His support cuts across religion, ethnicity, and geography. He defied odds, matched the votes of establishment heavyweights, and lit a fire beneath Nigeria’s youth and urban voters. Obi’s campaign was powered by conviction, not coercion. By message, not machinery.
As Nigeria eyes 2027, the opposition must face a new reality. If electoral victory is the goal, Peter Obi is not just a strategic asset—he is the cornerstone. His 2023 performance wasn’t a fluke. It was a referendum on failed leadership, and a preview of what a focused, people-powered movement can achieve.
Atiku’s reliance on legacy networks no longer guarantees relevance. Obi has shown that credibility, vision, and connection to the people can rival decades of political entitlement.
To move forward, the opposition must rally around the candidate who has already proven he can win hearts—and votes—without the old playbook. That candidate is Peter Obi.
CHIEF PETER AMEH
Former National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC)
