Ezekiel Dalhatu, a senatorial aspirant for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has generated fresh political debate after making strong remarks about the growing influence of former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Nigeria’s political space.
Dalhatu made the comments during an interview from 2:40 with Arise News while speaking about the ongoing screening process within the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections. His remarks focused on Obi’s political relevance and the nature of his support base, which he described as unusually strong and deeply personal.
According to him, the level of attention and support Peter Obi commands goes beyond conventional party structures and reflects a wider political movement driven by loyalty, trust, and public identification with his leadership style.
Dalhatu explained that Obi’s emergence as the only cleared presidential aspirant under the NDC has raised questions in some quarters about internal competition within the party.
However, he dismissed such concerns, arguing that the development should not be interpreted as a lack of democratic practice, but rather as a reflection of Obi’s unique political standing.
He stated that within the current political environment, Obi represents more than just a candidate, describing him as a political “brand” capable of attracting widespread support across different regions and political affiliations.
In his view, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, being a relatively new political platform, requires a figure with strong national recognition and grassroots acceptance in order to build momentum and establish credibility among voters.
Dalhatu further pointed to Obi’s previous political engagements as evidence of his broad appeal, suggesting that his supporters tend to follow him across party lines rather than remain strictly loyal to a political platform.
He argued that Obi’s influence demonstrates a shift in Nigeria’s political culture, where individual personalities increasingly shape voter behaviour more than party ideology or structure.
Emphasising the strength of Obi’s following, Dalhatu made a striking comparison, suggesting that the former presidential candidate’s support base is so mobilised that it could disrupt conventional political expectations if he were to switch platforms.
“If Peter Obi crossed carpet today to YPP, I’m sure the server will even go off because people follow him,” he said during the interview….Read_More…