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Peter Obi and Amaechi: Pawns in a Northern Power Play?
By Reno Omokri
Within the coalition that recently staged a hostile takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), it’s already clear who calls the shots—and it’s not Peter Obi or Rotimi Amaechi.
Despite the noise and public perception, neither of these Southern political figures holds the influence necessary to clinch the ADC’s presidential ticket. That ticket, without a doubt, is destined for a Northerner. And I have a strong sense of exactly who that candidate will be.
The dynamics within this coalition are telling. The Southern figures involved—especially Obi and Amaechi—are walking into a well-laid trap without even realizing it. What we’re witnessing is a textbook case of political naivety: people reacting with emotion rather than strategic consultation. They insult while others consult.
Take Amaechi, for instance. He may have been a former governor and minister, but his influence barely extends beyond his home state—and his “potbelly” politics doesn’t carry national weight. When the time comes, he’ll likely accept his fate. Should he be offered a vice-presidential slot under a Northern candidate, he’ll jump at it faster than a runs girl grabbing a $100 bill.
Peter Obi, on the other hand, is a different beast. Like Muhammadu Buhari in his heyday, Obi commands a devoted regional following, especially in the Southeast. He knows this, and his confidence has grown in recent years. He has become too big to play second fiddle. He will not settle for a vice-presidential ticket.
But herein lies the twist.
The coalition already knows Obi plans to run. His unsolicited proposal for a one-term presidency was all the confirmation they needed. What Obi doesn’t seem to grasp is that these Northern political heavyweights are not amateurs. They are masters of brinkmanship, skilled in strategic manipulation. In contrast, Obi relies heavily on what Nigerians fondly call “sense.”
By drawing him into this coalition, they’ve cleverly weakened his hand. Should he fail to clinch the ADC ticket—which he inevitably will—they’ve made it harder for him to walk away with the non-Igbo votes that helped him score over six million votes in 2023, particularly in the Middle Belt and South-South.
When he leaves—and he will—much of that support base will not follow. It’s not just about ethnicity; it’s about political affinity and trust. And that trust will be shaken by the perception that he was outmaneuvered or naive.
In the end, this coalition wasn’t built to propel Obi or Amaechi. It was built to consolidate power—and the South, unfortunately, may be nothing more than a ladder.