In the quiet thunder of Nigeria’s political soul, a question still haunts millions: What if Peter Obi had become President?

It all began with a generation demanding more in October 2020- the EndSARS movement surged through the streets of Abeokuta, Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and across Nigeria like a democratic wildfire. It was a revolution ignited by despair- masses of citizens demanding not only the end of police brutality, but a new political order. Millions, exhausted from injustice, united in unprecedented harmony, ready for change. For a brief moment, Nigeria’s future felt close enough to touch.

But the dream fell, brutally!, devastating millions of people globally. The aftermath of EndSARS left not only a trail of grief, unanswered questions, and shuttered protests but an emotional stab in the national psyche. The revolution dimmed just months before the 2023 national elections. With no formal political party or structure behind the EndSARS movement, the wave was swallowed by old systems, and the hopes of reform shifted into the search for a savior.

Here Comes Obi…

Peter Obi, a wealthy former governor with a reputation for government fiscal prudence, personal penny-pinching, populist connection and his popular quote “we no dey give shishi.” For many young Nigerians especially those devastated by unemployment, rising prices, and decades of corrupt leadership, Obi was a life savior in the storm. They called themselves the “Obidients.” Their loyalty wasn’t just to a candidate, it was to a symbolic disruption of Nigeria’s political oligarchy.

And the numbers proved it:

In Lagos, long considered a stronghold of the ruling party, Obi won the majority of votes. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, he led decisively. In Anambra, his home state, the support was overwhelming. Millions believe the election was a clear call for a new direction. So, what if Peter Obi had won? The truth is hereby unrestrained:

Peter Obi, had he been declared winner, would have had to face the same brutal economic realities as his successor: decades of regression not only under the Buhari regime but over the past 60 years, of which Obi is part of.

Leadership Implications…

Let’s analyze 2 major Tinubu regime decisions: Subsidy removal rather than Intelligent Anti-Corruption Reform? Obi has said multiple times that he would also remove subsidy, as Tinubu did. Subsidy removal evoked unprecedented hardship and untimely ended the lives of tens of thousands of Nigerians. Any additional hardship to the inhumanity that 90%+ of the nation currently endure, cannot be progressive or genuine leadership. Currency unification rather than Intelligent Economic Expansion? Also probable he would have made a similar decision as Tinubu to unify the currency which carried great risks and ended many great businesses. Since 2023, many notable companies exited or significantly declined including Bolt, Jumia Foods, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Kimberly‑Clark, Diageo (Guinness), Holcim, Equinor, Pick n Pay SA, Okra, Lidya, ShopRite and many others; and within the Oil sector, Shell and ExxonMobil, amongst others, divesting onshore assets.

Obi may have brought a different tone, softer, more deliberate, more relatable, certainly better than current governing set but the days and months would still have been painful. He was known for cutting excess as governor but Anambra State, which he governed from 2006 to 2014, still struggles with development outcomes. Despite his wealthy status and years in office, Anambra remains among the poorest subnational economies in the world by GDP per capita. Public systems, health, education and transportation, remain weak. His record, while slightly cleaner than most old guards, does not inch towards transformation on a national scale.

Verdict…

There may have been progress under President Obi, yes. Perhaps more trust in leadership, cleaner budgeting, and a sense of renewal; all of which contribute to making him certainly a better leader than Tinubu but certainly not the intelligently  thorough, genuine leader our great nation critically needs. Would Nigeria’s institutions have been rebuilt? Would there have been long-term investment in public sector professionalism, in rule of law, in nationwide infrastructure equity? Maybe but certainly not certainly.

Moving Forward …

As Nigerians reflect, not just on what might have been, but on what still must be, we must move beyond political emotion to evidential governance performance. Obidients were right to demand change. But change must be built, not just wished for. Nigeria deserves a leader who has walked the talk in ethics, deliverables, passion, patriotism and economic prowess.

As Princess Olatorera Oniru, leadership strategist and development economist, begins national engagements ahead of Nigeria’s next elections, she raises these statements not to relive the past but to challenge the future:

“Nigeria no longer needs messiahs. We need builders. Visionaries with actionable long-term blueprints, not just short-term hope. The revolution we began in 2020 is not dead. It is waiting for genuine leadership to carry it to the finish line. The dream didn’t die in 2020 after #Endsars. It’s still calling. Nigeria’s next chance is imminent.”

Next release will analyze 2027 presidential candidates to empower global citizens to determine the best giant for the giant of Africa.

Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru is not running for President.

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For media inquiries and other engagements:

Hayaa Hishan

Public Relations Lead

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