Daniel Bwala, special adviser on policy communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has cast doubt on Peter Obi’s chances of winning the presidency.

He argued that Obi, former governor of Anambra State, does not have the widespread grassroots backing needed for a national election.

In an interview on News Central TV, Bwala said Obi’s influence mainly comes from social media supporters known as the “Obidient” movement, rather than a solid political structure across Nigeria.

He also pointed to Obi’s outreach to religious audiences, claiming that his message framed the church as being politically sidelined.

According to Bwala, this strategy may rally some followers but does not build the broad support necessary for presidential success.

Bwala added that Obi would face challenges moving from social media popularity to actual political influence on the ground, saying that the former governor does not have the kind of local support that could carry him to Aso Villa.

He urged observers to consider that online enthusiasm does not always translate into votes, suggesting that Obi’s current approach may limit his reach beyond specific groups.

He said: “The tigers on social media are Peter Obi’s followers and the Obedient. Peter Obi will never be president; he’ll never cross the central business district that will lead to Aso Villa. So Peter Obi does not have grassroots; he went to the church with a narrative that the church is being disenfranchised, that it is time for the church to take back their country.”