Peter Obi used religion to garner 2023 votes - Bwala

Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has directly challenged the narrative surrounding Peter Obi's performance in the 2023 presidential election. Bwala asserts that Obi's significant vote count was not a result of genuine widespread support but rather a calculated use of religious appeals, amplified by a substantial number of bot accounts masquerading as human followers online.

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When we keep quiet, Peter Obi and his Obidients, from morning till the next morning, are talking about Asiwaju government… When we respond to them, you say we are reacting to them.

Speaking on Channels Television, Bwala characterized Obi's online supporters, the 'Obidients,' as largely artificial, manipulated by social media algorithms. He contrasted this with the perceived smaller number of actual human followers, suggesting that the movement's online visibility does not translate to comparable real-world traction. This perspective directly counters the image of a grassroots movement that Obi's campaign projected.

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Peter Obi has a followership that they call the Obidients, that are largely, they consist of people that are not human beings, we call bot account. If you are very familiar with social media and the manipulation of algorithm, you will say that.

Furthermore, Bwala raised concerns about Peter Obi's leadership capabilities, particularly his ability to manage people. He pointed to the consistent departure of former close associates and commissioners from Obi's previous administration in Anambra State as evidence of poor man-management skills. This critique aims to undermine confidence in Obi's capacity to lead effectively at a national level, framing him as someone unable to retain talent or foster loyalty.

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But the real Obidients that are human beings, when you see them on the street, they are not very many.

Bwala's commentary also touches upon the political landscape, noting that religious leaders who supported Obi during the election are no longer as vocal. He links this shift to the ruling party's Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023, which he suggests made it easier to mobilize religious sentiment against it. The aide's remarks serve to frame Obi's political strategy as opportunistic and divisive, while simultaneously bolstering the presidency's narrative by highlighting perceived weaknesses in the opposition.

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At that time, he used religious rhetoric. The toxicity of what he introduced in 2023 will be a long time before it leaves us as a country.