Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has questioned the belief among members of the Obidient Movement that Peter Obi will finish second in the 2027 presidential election.
Ahmad said supporters of the former Anambra State governor should not assume that the 2027 race will produce the same outcome as the previous election. According to Daily Post, Ahmad made the comment while reacting to claims by some members of the Obidient Movement about Obi’s chances in the next presidential election.
Obi finished third in the 2023 presidential election. However, his performance created a strong political movement that has remained active across the country. The former Labour Party presidential candidate secured significant support, particularly among young Nigerians and voters in major cities.
That performance has continued to shape expectations around his political future. Many of his supporters now believe he could finish second in the 2027 presidential election or even emerge as the eventual winner.
Ahmad, however, appears less convinced. The former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari suggested that Obidient supporters may be getting ahead of themselves by treating a second-place finish as something that is already guaranteed.
He urged them to look beyond the excitement surrounding Obi and consider the wider political realities ahead of the election. The 2027 presidential contest is already taking shape, with several political figures positioning themselves for the race.
The opposition landscape has also changed since 2023. Obi has moved away from the Labour Party and joined a new political platform as part of efforts to strengthen his political structure ahead of the next election.
Meanwhile, other opposition figures are also working on alliances that could affect the race. These developments could make the 2027 contest very different from the 2023 election. For Obi, maintaining the enthusiasm that produced the Obidient Movement will not be enough on its own.
He will need a strong political structure and wider support across Nigeria. The presidential race will also require candidates to compete effectively in regions where they did not perform strongly in 2023. That is one reason why Ahmad appears to be challenging the confidence of Obi’s supporters.
The former presidential aide’s comments are likely to generate reactions from members of the Obidient Movement, many of whom remain optimistic about Obi’s chances. The movement has continued to present Obi as one of the strongest alternatives to the established political parties.
However, the 2027 election is still ahead, and several factors could influence the final result. Political alliances, party structures, voter turnout and the strength of individual campaigns could all play important roles.
For now, Ahmad’s position is clear: Obi’s supporters should not treat a second-place finish in the 2027 presidential election as a certainty.
Elom Fortunate Chiemerie is junior staff at modern crux that covers news on international politics, sports news and entertainment News
