Peter Obi: From Rising Third Force to Leadership Under Scrutiny

Many hailed Peter Obi as the ‘third force’ in Nigeria’s 2023 election. His supporters pointed to his charisma and bold ideas that promised national renewal. As governor of Anambra State, Obi enjoyed generous federal allocations and solid internally generated revenue. Yet critics say he built few public schools, relied on substandard road materials, and entered a controversial public-private deal linked to his family’s interests. He postponed local government elections until 2014, imposed heavy taxes on small traders, and faced claims of unpaid civil servant salaries and pensions. His role in installing Willie Obiano as successor fueled accusations of godfatherism and public fallout. Obi’s denial of links to the Pandora Papers did little to quiet doubts. His frequent party switches—from APGA to PDP, Labour Party, then ADC—suggest weak party-building. I believe this well-packaged movement could fizzle out by 2027.

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