Why Igbos Voted Peter Obi – Abaribe

Why Igbos Voted Peter Obi – Abaribe

In a recent interview with Signature TV, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South senatorial district, shed light on the rationale behind a significant number of Igbo voters supporting the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general elections.

Contrary to the notion of tribalism, Abaribe emphasized that the Igbo electorate’s choice was rooted in their perception of Obi as the most competent candidate among all those who contested the February 25 poll.

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Senator Abaribe addressed the question of whether Igbo voters solely supported Obi due to tribal considerations, saying, “No, Igbos didn’t vote for him (Peter Obi) because he was Igbo; they voted for him because they saw him as the best candidate.” He further elaborated that Obi’s appeal extended beyond the Igbo community, resonating on a national level.

The LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is currently challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu before the Presidential Election Tribunal Court (PEPC). Obi is urging the tribunal to issue an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to present him with a certificate of return as the duly elected president of Nigeria.

As the nation awaits the tribunal’s decision on the fate of the leading candidates in the last presidential election, the emphasis on competence over tribalism in the voters’ choice resonates as a key factor in shaping the political landscape.