The Presidency has described supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as “tigers of social media,” insisting that online popularity alone cannot deliver electoral victory.
The remark was made by presidential aide Daniel Bwala during a television interview, where he questioned Obi’s ability to convert his strong social media presence into nationwide political support.
According to Bwala, many of Obi’s supporters are highly active online and dominate political conversations across social media platforms. However, he argued that such digital influence does not necessarily translate into votes at the grassroots level.
“The tigers on social media are Peter Obi’s followers and the Obidient movement,” Bwala said while maintaining that online engagement alone would not be enough to secure the presidency.
The presidential aide further claimed that Obi lacks the political structure and nationwide grassroots network required to win a presidential election. He argued that successful campaigns are built not only on digital visibility but also on strong support across communities and regions.
His comments have added to the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, with supporters of Obi often pointing to the strength and enthusiasm of the Obidient movement as evidence of his continued popularity, especially among young Nigerians. Political observers, however, remain divided on whether social media influence can be effectively converted into electoral success.
The latest remarks also reflect the ongoing exchanges between the Presidency and opposition figures as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the next presidential race.
