Obi’s Polling Unit Loss Ignites Debate

Two weeks after the Anambra governorship election, the political fallout continues to resonate, dominated by the surprise loss of the Labour Party (LP) candidate in presidential aspirant Peter Obi’s own polling unit. The result has fiercely divided netizens and political commentators across the country.

The election saw the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), incumbent Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, sweep the polls, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate placing a distant second. Despite high expectations, the Labour Party and the nascent African Democratic Congress (ADC) failed to pose a major challenge.

Peter Obi’s preferred candidate, George Moghalu of the Labour Party, lost in Obi’s polling unit in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area. The final count showed the LP candidate securing 57 votes, while the APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu won with 73 votes.

This unexpected development has generated widespread reactions, as many assumed Obi’s immense national popularity would guarantee victory for any candidate he backed, especially in his own backyard.

However, a counter-narrative insists that the former Governor of Anambra State’s popularity remains fully intact. Proponents of this view argue that since Obi himself was not on the ballot for the governorship election, the result is irrelevant to his personal political standing.

Despite not being the candidate, Obi made his support for the Labour Party flagbearer public and unequivocal. He openly campaigned for Moghalu, posting on social media that he would support his party’s candidate because his conscience dictated it. Obi went a step further by leading a solidarity walk through the streets of Anambra in support of the LP candidate.

The “Obidient Movement” structure, of which Obi is the leader, also claimed full mobilization. The coordinator, Tanko, had previously asserted that the Obidient family was fully on the ground, with commanders inaugurated across all 5,720 polling units in the state, urging a vote for Moghalu as a vote for Obi. The subsequent poor showing of the LP candidate, despite this publicized backing, is the central point of contention.

Following the election outcome, the APC in Lagos State quickly issued a statement urging Obi to abandon any thoughts of the 2027 presidential election. The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, questioned Obi’s national appeal, stating: “A man who cannot win his polling unit has no business dreaming of winning a country. A man who is rejected on his street cannot claim nationwide acceptance.”

The APC official suggested that the defeat at his polling unit was a symbol of the “complete disintegration of the myth around Peter Obi.” He added a warning against seeking international intervention for what he termed a “political free fall.”

In a counter-argument, Barrister Emma Ibediro, a former National Organising Secretary of the APC and member of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), insisted that Obi losing his polling unit meant “absolutely nothing.” He maintained that Obi’s popularity was not the factor being tested in the governorship race.

Ibediro agreed with Obi’s own statement that he was not on the ballot for the Anambra election. He argued that the popularity of the actual governorship contestants was what was measured, not Obi’s. He added that Obi played a “statesman role” by wishing the eventual winner well, recognizing all candidates as part of his broader constituency.

The debate is raging on social media, with Nigerians deeply divided. Critics argue that the result proves Obi’s influence has waned, with comments suggesting he has “lost relevance” and that the result is a “shock” that spells doom for his 2027 ambition.

Conversely, Obi’s supporters are defending their leader vigorously. Comments circulating online insist that “Peter Obi was not on the ballot,” and challenge critics to “Check back in 2027 please.” Other supporters argue that Anambra voters typically differentiate between Obi’s personal election and the candidates he supports, pointing out that they ignored him in the past but supported him “en masse” when he himself was on the ballot.