Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo has cast doubt on former Anambra State governor Peter Obi’s chances of winning significant support in Nigeria’s northern region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview with Outside the Box, Ashimolowo suggested that it would take “a miracle” for Obi to secure even five per cent of the votes in the 12 core northern states, pointing to lingering divisions across the country.
“The chance of Peter Obi getting five per cent in 12 core Northern states will be a miracle because Nigeria has not healed,” Ashimolowo said. “He is a fantastic and gifted man who can achieve a lot, but winning in the north at that level is unlikely.”
Obi ran as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, finishing third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Despite the loss, Obi attracted strong backing from young voters and urban populations, with his supporters—popularly known as the Obidients—arguing that he still has the momentum to succeed in a future election.
As preparations for the 2027 race intensify, Obi has signaled his intention to run again, though his platform remains uncertain. He is currently part of a broader opposition coalition, which includes Atiku Abubakar and other political figures aiming to challenge Tinubu’s re-election.
The coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform, but it is yet to be confirmed whether Obi will run under ADC or return to contest under the Labour Party, which he represented in 2023
