Abejide Says Peter Obi’s 2023 Votes Were Driven by Religious, Tribal Sentiments, Warns Opposition Against Repeating Old Calculations
A member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, has claimed that Peter Obi’s significant showing in the 2023 presidential election was largely driven by religious and tribal considerations rather than purely ideological or policy-based support. Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
According to the lawmaker, a major factor behind Obi’s popularity in parts of the country—particularly in Northern Nigeria—was anxiety among Christian communities who feared religious marginalisation under the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said many voters believed that a Tinubu administration would restrict their ability to freely practise their faith, a perception he argued has not materialised since Tinubu assumed office.
“People, especially the Northern Christians, believed that they would be in trouble if Asiwaju came in as president. They believed they would not have room to exercise their faith, but it’s not like that today,” Abejide said during the programme.
His comments come against the backdrop of recent political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, including Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday. Obi’s move has reignited debates about opposition strategies, coalition-building, and whether the political conditions that shaped the 2023 election still apply.
Abejide cautioned opposition figures against assuming that the same sentiments that influenced voter behaviour in 2023 will automatically translate into electoral success in 2027. He argued that President Tinubu’s conduct since taking office has altered public perception, particularly regarding allegations of religious bias linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the last election.
“The way the president handled the whole thing, they know he’s not a religious bigot, and he does not believe in extremism of any religion, whether Christian or Muslim,” Abejide added.
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The lawmaker also criticised the manner in which Obi reportedly registered with the ADC, noting that he did so in Enugu State rather than his home constituency in Anambra State. Abejide described the move as irregular and unfamiliar, arguing that proper political processes begin at the ward level.
“He’s supposed to go to his ward and register from his ward. Then it can be recognised. If you go to the zonal office and you register as a politician, this kind of politics is a new system to me,” he said.
Addressing speculation about a possible opposition alliance aimed at unseating the APC in 2027, Abejide dismissed the idea that simply combining votes garnered by Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2023 would guarantee victory. He described such calculations as unrealistic and disconnected from political realities.
“If anybody is capitalising on what happened in 2023 and calculating that if they put Atiku’s vote and put Obi’s votes, they’re going to beat APC, it’s just like the person is building castles in the air,” he stated.
Abejide further pointed to internal challenges within the ADC, the party currently being positioned as a platform for opposition collaboration. He said leadership disputes within the party remain unresolved and could undermine its capacity to effectively challenge the ruling APC.
“The leadership of ADC today is in crisis, and until the court decides, nobody can say this is going to defeat the APC,” he said.
Despite his criticisms, the lawmaker said politicians interested in joining the ADC are welcome, provided they follow due process. He stressed that adherence to proper party structures and rules is essential if the party hopes to present itself as a serious alternative ahead of 2027.
“They are welcome, and we’ll see what the outcome is going to be, but if you want to join, join properly,” Abejide said.
His remarks have sparked widespread reactions online, with supporters and critics of both Obi and the APC debating the role of religion, ethnicity, performance, and credibility in Nigerian elections. While some argue that voter sentiment in 2023 was rooted in broader demands for accountability and good governance, others agree that religious and tribal identities played a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes.
As political manoeuvring intensifies ahead of 2027, Abejide’s comments underscore ongoing debates about whether Nigeria’s electorate is moving beyond identity politics or whether such sentiments will continue to influence voting behaviour in future elections.