A former senatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Princess Olatorera Oniru, has said that former presidential candidate Peter Obi would not have been fundamentally different from President Bola Tinubu if he had won the 2023 presidential election.
Oniru made the comments in a statement released Monday titled “What If Peter Obi Had Become President of Nigeria?”, where she made a critical assessment of Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory.
“In the quiet thunder of Nigeria’s political soul, a question still haunts millions: What if Peter Obi had become President?” she said in the statement obtained by SaharaReporters.
Oniru reflected on the 2020 EndSARS movement, describing it as a moment of unprecedented unity and revolutionary demand for change.
“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,” she recalled.
According to Oniru, the protests were more than just about police brutality; they were a cry for a total political overhaul.
But with no formal structure, the movement’s energy eventually dissipated.
“The hopes of reform shifted into the search for a savior,” she said.
That perceived saviour, she noted, became Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Obi, she acknowledged, captivated the imagination of millions with his reputation for frugality, fiscal prudence, and relatable rhetoric—especially his famous slogan, “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,” she said.
“They called themselves the ‘Obidients.’ Their loyalty wasn’t just to a candidate; it was to a symbolic disruption of Nigeria’s political oligarchy.”
Oniru acknowledged Obi’s strong showing in key areas during the election, including his victory in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as widespread support in his home state of Anambra.
However, she cautioned against idealising what his presidency would have looked like.
“Had Peter Obi been declared President, he would have faced the same brutal economic landscape as his successor,” she argued.
“An economy ravaged not just by the Buhari regime, but by over six decades of regression, in which he too played a part.”
Oniru pointed to two major economic policies under President Tinubu—fuel subsidy removal and currency unification, as examples of measures Obi also supported.
“Obi has repeatedly stated that he too would have removed the fuel subsidy. Yet this decision, made without foundational reforms, triggered unprecedented hardship and led to the untimely deaths of tens of thousands,” she claimed.
“When more than 90 percent of the population already endures daily inhumanity, additional suffering is not leadership. It is negligence.”
She also noted the widespread economic disruptions following the currency unification policy.
“Currency unification: Also likely under Obi. This decision destabilised countless businesses. Since 2023, many top companies exited or scaled down: Bolt, Jumia Foods, GlaxoSmithKline, Kimberly-Clark, Diageo (Guinness), Holcim, Equinor, Pick n Pay SA, Okra, Lidya, ShopRite, and more,” she stated.
“In the oil sector, Shell and ExxonMobil divested onshore assets.”
Oniru argued that while Obi might have taken a softer approach and inspired greater public trust, the structural realities of Nigeria’s challenges would have limited his ability to deliver radical change.
“Obi might have led with a softer tone, greater fiscal caution, and more relatable rhetoric, but the hardship would have remained,” Oniru said.
“During his tenure as Anambra governor from 2006 to 2014, he was praised for budget discipline, yet the state continues to struggle with weak public systems, underdeveloped infrastructure, and one of the lowest GDP per capita rates globally.”
According to her, “Despite his wealth and experience, Obi’s record does not reflect transformational national leadership,” referencing Anambra’s continued struggles with infrastructure and low GDP per capita.
“Yes, a President Obi could have fostered more trust, better budgeting, and a renewed national spirit. He would likely have been better than Tinubu, but still, maybe not the transformative leader Nigeria desperately needs,” she added.
Looking ahead, Oniru called for a shift from personality politics to performance-based governance.
She said, “Would he have rebuilt institutions? Revived professionalism in the civil service? Strengthened rule of law? Ensured equitable infrastructure nationwide? Maybe. But not certainly.
“As we reflect on what might have been and what still must be, we must shift from political emotion to performance-based governance.
“The Obidients were right to demand change. But lasting change isn’t wished into existence. It is built. Nigeria doesn’t need another messiah.
“We need builders with bold blueprints, long-term vision, and a proven track record of patriotism, ethics, and deliverables.”
Oniru stressed, “Nigeria does not need another messiah. We need leaders with the courage to confront hard truths and the competence to deliver lasting transformation.
“We need visionaries armed not with branded personalities but with bold, executable blueprints for rapid national growth.”
Oniru urged Nigerians to stay focused on structural reforms.
“The revolution we ignited in 2020 did not die with the silence of the protests,” she stressed.
“It lives on in every citizen still demanding justice, prosperity, and progress. EndSARS Aftermath was not the end. It was a beginning. And Nigeria’s next great turning point is imminent.”
