Bwala Slams Obi: ‘Likes Can’t Buy You A Seat In Aso Villa

According to political analysts, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed skepticism over Peter Obi’s chances of winning the presidency. Speaking in an interview on News Central TV, Bwala suggested that the former Anambra State governor lacks the broad-based grassroots support necessary for a successful national campaign.

Bwala argued that Obi’s influence is largely driven by his social media following, known as the “Obidient” movement, rather than a structured political network across Nigeria. He further highlighted Obi’s outreach to religious audiences, claiming that the former governor’s messaging frames the church as politically marginalized—a strategy that may energize a segment of supporters but is unlikely to translate into widespread electoral success.

According to Bwala, Obi faces significant challenges in converting online popularity into tangible political influence on the ground. “The tigers on social media are Peter Obi’s followers and the Obidient. Peter Obi will never be president; he’ll never cross the central business district that will lead to Aso Villa. He does not have grassroots support; he went to the church with a narrative that it is being disenfranchised,” he said. Bwala urged observers to recognize that online enthusiasm does not always guarantee votes, cautioning that Obi’s current approach may limit his appeal beyond specific groups.