Peter Obi May Struggle to Repeat Lagos Performance — Archbishop Funso Awe

Retired cleric and public affairs commentator, Funso Awe, has stated that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may find it difficult to replicate his previous electoral success in Lagos State and other parts of the country as political realities continue to shift ahead of future elections.

Speaking during an interview with Daily Independent on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Awe argued that the political advantage of incumbency in Lagos would play a major role in determining future voting patterns, making it unlikely for Obi to enjoy the same level of support he recorded during the last presidential election.

According to the cleric, Nigeria’s political atmosphere often changes as elections draw closer, with many opposition supporters gradually losing momentum and enthusiasm over time.

“In Lagos, the power of incumbency will come to play and Peter Obi will not get what he had the other time,” Awe stated.

“Nigerians have a way of predicting the results of elections. As the election goes on, they lose interest in the opposition,” he added.

Awe further explained that any noticeable decline in Obi’s popularity across the South-East, South-South and South-West regions could significantly affect his broader national appeal, including support in the Middle Belt and parts of Northern Nigeria.

The retired archbishop noted that political momentum in Nigeria is often influenced by public perception, elite alignments and shifting voter confidence as election periods approach.

Peter Obi, who emerged as one of the strongest opposition figures during the 2023 presidential election, recorded impressive performances in several urban centres, including Lagos, where his showing disrupted traditional voting patterns and reshaped political conversations nationwide.

However, with political realignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, analysts believe competition among major political blocs is expected to intensify in the coming months.

— News House Political Desk