A well-known Nigerian Public Relations Expert, Behaviour Change Communication Lecturer and Media Consultant, Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor, hàs aired his view on political developments in Nigeria, describing the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, as a political earthquake in Nigerian politics.
He stated this on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during a telephone interview with Crustlikereporters correspondent. He pointed out that Nigeria’s political landscape has always been turbulent, marked by rigid party loyalties, ethno-regional power tussles, and entrenched elites whose grip on power often stifles the country’s democratic renewal. Yet, in recent years, a remarkable phenomenon has shaken the very foundations of this status quo — the emergence of Peter Obi as a formidable political force. His rise is nothing short of a political earthquake, toppling old narratives and altering Nigeria’s democratic terrain in profound ways.
He went on to say that, "for over two decades, Nigeria’s political space has been dominated by two main parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). These parties had long monopolized power, perpetuating a cycle of patronage politics and deepening public cynicism. Peter Obi’s entrance via the Labour Party (LP) shattered this duopoly, providing a credible “third force” that resonated especially with the youth and a vast segment of the marginalized electorate.
"Obi’s political emergence was not a mere happenstance; it represented the crystallization of a mass yearning for change, justice, and a break from the old order. His appeal lies in his reputation for integrity, competence, and a people-centred leadership style that prioritizes governance above ethnic or regional allegiances — qualities painfully scarce in Nigerian politics".
"At the heart of Peter Obi’s seismic impact is his ability to mobilize the Nigerian youth, who constitute the majority of the country’s population but have traditionally been disenfranchised or ignored. The “Obidient” movement embodies a political awakening among young Nigerians who no longer accept politics as business as usual. Obi symbolizes their hopes for fairness, social justice, and equitable development — a departure from transactional politics that revolve around ethnic militias and godfatherism".
"This youth-driven political awakening has disrupted conventional vote bank calculations and challenged politicians to engage with issues of transparency, accountability, and competence. It is no surprise that instead of amassing wealth for cronies, Obi is lauded for refusing to indulge in the conventional practice of doling out appointments to political friends and focusing instead on infrastructural and educational reforms as governor of Anambra State".
Speaking further, Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor hinted that, "Peter Obi’s governance record offers a compelling testimony to his political philosophy. His administration’s investments in road construction, education revival, and healthcare improvements carved out a model that many Nigerians now believe could be scaled nationally. This focus on tangible development fosters trust and sets him apart in a system often criticized for empty promises and corruption".
"Where many politicians pivot on rhetoric, Obi emphasizes data-driven policies and capacity-building. His candid critique of the current administration’s economic mismanagement exemplifies his refusal to mince words on Nigeria’s challenges, even as critics dismiss some of his economic proposals as simplistic. Nonetheless, his approach has redefined what Nigerians expect from their leaders, prioritizing sustainable development over populist slogans".
"One of the most dramatic ruptures Obi precipitated was his defection from the PDP in 2022 to the Labour Party after the PDP refused to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East, his region. This act was more than a personal protest — it highlighted the entrenched problems around zoning and internal party democracy, which consistently limit political opportunities to peripheral voices and destabilize the opposition".
The Public Relations Expert stressed that Obi’s defiance has forced Nigerian political parties to reconsider their rigid internal arrangements. He represents a coalition builder whose ideology transcends archaic regional and ethnic divides, intensifying calls for a political culture that aligns with Nigeria’s diversity and demographic realities.
He also said that despite his popularity, Obi’s journey is fraught with challenges. Intra-opposition rivalries remain; the recent alliance of Obi and Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Congress provides a glimpse of evolving pragmatic coalitions aimed at dethroning the ruling APC in 2027. However, as political analysts note, for such an alliance to succeed, sacrifices and strategic compromises are essential.
Adding that, Obi’s commitment to reform also brings him into conflict with the established political order, as evidenced by efforts to undermine his political rights and movement, such as restrictions on his free movement imposed by some state governors. Such actions underscore the resistance from entrenched interests threatened by his disruptive agenda.
"Beyond elections, Peter Obi is a symbolic earthquake for Nigeria’s democratic culture. He embodies the possibility of a break from patronage and ethno-regional polarization towards politics that respects the electorate’s demand for transparency and fairness. His leadership style encourages civic participation, grassroots mobilization, and a collective ownership of democratic processes".
"Obi also challenges the entrenched narratives that have long shaped Nigerian politics, where power rotates solely along geo-ethnic lines, sidelining merit and integrity. His ascent insists on a Nigeria where competence and compassion guide governance, and where the youth no longer remain sidelined spectators but active protagonists of the nation’s destiny".
The Media Consultant concludes that Peter Obi’s political earthquake has reverberated far beyond campaign rallies and vote counts. It has shaken the foundations of Nigeria’s political system, opening cracks in the old order and inspiring a nationwide movement for change. As Nigeria approaches future elections, the question on everyone’s mind is not whether Obi will remain a political force but how this seismic shift will reshape the country’s democratic evolution.
"Nigeria stands at a historic crossroads, and Peter Obi’s example offers a hopeful blueprint for political renewal, a call for leaders willing to embrace sacrifice, champion developmental governance, and build institutions that truly serve the people".
"In a nation yearning for transformation, Peter Obi is not just a politician; he is the tremor redefining the landscape, the political earthquake signaling that the ground beneath Nigeria’s democracy is shifting, and the old structures may never stand the same again", he stated.
Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor is a Public Relations Expert, Behaviour Change Communication Lecturer, and Media Consultant. He writes on Behaviour Change and governance in Nigeria.
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