Nigeria’s third candidate to the presidential election is Peter Obi, running under the Labour Party  (LP) platform. Peter Obi, considered as an outsider by some in this election, has years of political experience in the country. Indeed, the very successful businessman was Governor of Anambra state from 2006 to 2014, and later candidate for the vice-presidency alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election. Rather, he is positioned as an outsider in this election as it is the first time that a third party has the chance of wining the election. The LP was created in 2002, and received a large increase of support since the designation of the candidate.

Initially, Peter Obi announced his candidacy for President under the PDP banner, but later declared his intention to run under the LP, a social democratic bloc. Disagreement about corruption in the nomination process of the presidential candidate within the PDP is thought to be the cause of this cross-over. Yusuf Datti-Baba-Ahmed, a Nigerian economist and politician well-known for denouncing corruption, was designated as Obi’s running mate. He comes from a popular family in Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed served as member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, as Senator for Kaduna North from 2011 to 2012 and later was unsuccessful in the PDP presidential campaign primary.

Image of Peter Obi courtesty of Wikimedia Commons, 31 January 2022

As the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi represents himself as a contrast to the two traditional political parties, in a bid to fight increased insecurity and economic and political challenges in the country. His aim is to lead a « united and secure Nigeria ». Obi’s policies include major economic reforms, such as debt renegotiation, increased privatisation of the economy, and turning « Nigeria from a consuming nation to a producing nation » in order to create jobs for the youth. 

His successful tenure as governor of Anambra provides him with a proven track record. Notably, he significantly invested in health and education, successfully managing state funds (he left an important amount of savings, at a time when most Nigerian Governors were leaving huge debts), created international development partnerships and oversaw infrastructure projects. 

Peter Obi owes the success of his candidacy under the Labour Party to the Nigerian youth. They have massively backed the candidate, putting him and the previously unknown party at the front of the stage. The youth considers Obi as an alternative to the two major parties and veterans of Nigerian politics and as a way to change the statuquo. His huge support base, who describe themselves as « obi-dients » assemble through social media and street mobilisations. A big part of them were part of the Endsars protests, mass protests against police brutality in 2020, which turned into Nigeria’s « Arab Spring ».

His large support from the youth may prove to be a significant advantage for Peter Obi, as the average age of the population is 18. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 84% of registered voters were aged 34 and below. Demography will thus play a huge role in the upcoming election, giving hope to the « outsider » to gain the Presidency. However, numerous critics and analysts point out to the lack of a nationwide party structure such as the APC or the PDP to support him in his race, which would make it hard for him to win the election. Additionally, the major parties’ domination is largely based on religious, ethnic and tribal loyalties. As a Christian and an Igbo from Eastern Nigeria, Peter Obi declared that he wishes that the 2023 elections « will go beyond connections, tribe or religion, but center on competence, character and commitment to deliver on the dividends of true democracy. ». He therefore hopes to obtain votes from the youth, specifically, and the population, in general, in Northern and Western Nigeria. It remains to be seen whether the weight of the population’s will to change the system will prevail over party, ethnic and religious loyalties.