Oshiomhole Rejects Peter Obi Threat, saying 2023 votes reflected public anger over economic challenges rather than Obi’s political dominance
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District and former Edo State Governor, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, represents a major threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that Obi’s strong performance in the last presidential poll was largely influenced by public frustration with economic challenges.
Also read: Adams Oshiomhole Criticises Peter Obi’s 2027 Ambition
Speaking on TVC News’ Beyond The Headlines programme on Monday, Senator Oshiomhole said Peter Obi’s emergence as a major political force in 2023 was shaped by what he described as an unusual political environment rather than a sustained national movement.
Responding to questions about whether the APC was underestimating Peter Obi’s influence after his strong performance in Lagos and the South-East during the 2023 election, Senator Oshiomhole said the outcome was driven by widespread dissatisfaction at the time.
“No, not at all, not at all. Obi was produced by an unusual situation when a ruling party decided to destroy itself, making anybody running on its platform almost unelectable. It was that confusion that produced those votes,” Oshiomhole said.
The former National Labour Congress president linked Peter Obi’s 2023 gains to public anger surrounding the naira redesign policy, cash shortages and fuel scarcity that affected many Nigerians before the election.
Senator Oshiomhole recalled that many citizens struggled to access their own money despite having funds in bank accounts, creating a sense of frustration that influenced voting decisions.
“People had money in the bank but couldn’t access it. They queued all night at ATM machines just to withdraw ₦10,000, and after a week, even the ATMs were dry,” he said.
He further argued that the hardship forced many Nigerians to rely on Point of Sale operators, where some paid additional charges to obtain cash during the crisis.
“Someone asked why people would queue all night to withdraw ₦5,000, then queue again for fuel, and still expect them to queue on election day to vote for the same government. That anger was what produced Obi,” Senator Oshiomhole added.
The Edo North senator said voters had already become dissatisfied with the Peoples Democratic Party before the APC-led administration introduced policies that, in his view, intensified public hardship shortly before the 2023 election.
Senator Oshiomhole also shared a conversation with a constituent who expressed frustration over the cash shortage, recalling how some citizens felt abandoned during the period.
“You said I should keep my money in the bank, but when I went to collect it, they said there was no money. At the POS, they deducted ₦2,000 from ₦5,000. How do I survive?” he quoted the woman as saying.
The senator maintained that the policies surrounding the cash crisis were not representative of APC’s broader political direction, insisting that the anger generated by the situation played a decisive role in shaping the 2023 election outcome.
The comments come as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, has remained a significant figure in opposition politics, attracting support from young voters and supporters calling for reforms in governance, accountability and economic management.
Also read: Adams Oshiomhole Criticises Peter Obi’s 2027 Ambition
While Senator Oshiomhole’s assessment reflects the APC’s confidence ahead of 2027, political analysts note that the durability of Peter Obi’s support base and the impact of economic conditions will remain important factors as parties prepare for the next national election.
