Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, has today launched an official TikTok page. The announcement, made on Tuesday via his X handle, marks a significant step in Obi’s ongoing efforts to connect with a digitally savvy electorate, leveraging the popular short-video platform to amplify his vision of a “new Nigeria that is possible.”
Obi, who also served two tenures as governor of Anambra State, wasted no time in activating his TikTok presence. Within hours of opening the account, he uploaded an introductory video urging Nigerians to join him in his mission.
“This is my official and only TikTok page,” he declared in the clip. “Kindly join me towards building a new Nigeria that is possible.”
Few hours after the account’s debut, Obi had already garnered over 18,800 followers, a number that continued to surge as the day progressed.
Peter Obi joins the few Nigerian politicians on TikTok
This foray into TikTok places Peter Obi in the company of other prominent Nigerian political figures who have recently embraced the platform to broaden their reach. Just four days ago, on March 14, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai made a similar move, launching his own TikTok page to discuss Nigerian politics and promote his new political affiliation with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai’s account, which he described as his “only and official TikTok page,” saw explosive growth, amassing over 200,000 followers within 24 hours. In his debut video, he invited users to engage with him through “videos, comments, and conversations” on political affairs, signaling a shift toward interactive, youth-oriented communication.
The timing of these moves is no coincidence. With TikTok boasting millions of active users in Nigeria, many of them young, politically conscious individuals, the platform has emerged as a powerful tool for political messaging.
Established in September 2016, TikTok’s appeal lies in its ability to deliver “real, interesting, and fun videos,” as Obi’s team noted, making it an ideal space for politicians to connect with voters in a casual, relatable format. For Obi, whose 2023 campaign galvanized a youth-driven movement known as the “Obidient” wave, TikTok represents a natural extension of his grassroots appeal.
Observers see Peter Obi’s TikTok debut as a calculated effort to maintain momentum and build a digital coalition ahead of the next election cycle. “Peter Obi now on TikTok… account is not even up to 24 hours yet,” remarked an X user,
@walt116, in a post that went viral. “Can the other guys try this challenge? Let’s see how much influence they have on the younger generation.” The sentiment reflects a broader narrative: Obi’s ability to mobilize online support remains a benchmark that other politicians are now racing to match.
El-Rufai’s entry into the TikTok sphere offers an intriguing parallel. Having resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the SDP, the self-styled “accidental public servant” and “certified ruffler of feathers” is using the platform to rebrand himself and engage directly with Nigerians.
His bio and content suggest a blend of humor and defiance, qualities that resonate with TikTok’s informal tone. The rapid followership he accrued mirrors Obi’s early success, hinting at a growing trend among political elites to harness social media’s immediacy and reach.
Mr Peter Obi’s TikTok launch also comes amid a shifting political landscape. Recent news reports indicate that other opposition figures, such as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have expressed openness to collaborating with Obi to form a “vibrant opposition.” This development, coupled with his digital expansion, positions Obi as a central figure in Nigeria’s evolving political discourse.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts to regulate platforms like TikTok, such as a bill requiring bloggers and TikTokers to open offices in Nigeria, which passed its second reading today, underscore the government’s recognition of social media’s growing influence.
For Nigerians, Obi’s TikTok page is more than just a profile; it’s a call to action. His message of a “new Nigeria” taps into the aspirations of a generation frustrated with the status quo. As one X user, @Julio95448951, noted:
“Just a few minutes [after launch you already have over 350k followers on TikTok. Ibu nnukwu okwute. Big name.” Whether this digital gambit translates into electoral success remains to be seen, but for now, Peter Obi is proving that in the age of social media, political influence is just a video away.
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