The political capital of Nigerian gladiators: Obi’s assets, Wike’s liability, Tinubu’s profit, By Sunday Adelaja

In brief

In 2023, Obi possessed something Wike would have loved to have: A nationwide emotional constituency. The Obidient phenomenon gave Obi access to: millions of young Nigerians; social-media activists; professionals; diaspora supporters; entrepreneurs; Christian constituencies; reform-minded voters; dissatisfied APC and PDP voters. Wike possessed something different: A network of politicians and political operators.