Netizens have expressed mixed reactions after Nigeria Democratic Party presidential candidate Peter Obi appeared on TikTok, with some criticising his social media engagement while others questioned whether the platform could help his political ambitions. Peter Obi attracted comments from users on X and Facebook, with some describing his presence on…...
Netizens have expressed mixed reactions after Nigeria Democratic Party presidential candidate Peter Obi appeared on TikTok, with some criticising his social media engagement while others questioned whether the platform could help his political ambitions.
Peter Obi attracted comments from users on X and Facebook, with some describing his presence on the platform as a sign of desperation and others arguing that online popularity alone cannot win an election.
Reacting on X, Femi Abiodun said he was struggling to believe Obi’s presence on the platform, writing, “I’m finding it hard to believe this Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on tiktok..”
He added, “Peter Obi is dragging tiktok with peller 😭🤣”
Senior Pastor Okezie James Atani also criticised the development, saying, “See what desperation is doing to Peter Obi that his followers are using him as caricature on TikTok”.
Another X user, Tosin Bamidele, questioned whether President Bola Tinubu would also need to use the platform, writing, “So you want President Tinubu to go on TikTok live as well?🙄🙄🙄”
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Bamidele further argued that Obi should focus on political negotiations and alliance-building rather than his social media activities.
“Can’t you see that Peter Obi seems to be too available? He’s supposed to be negotiating with power brokers deep north. Not doing double tap on TikTok,” the user wrote.
Adeda Arsenal also expressed surprise at Obi’s appearance on the platform, posting, “Peter Obi is on TikTok, chai 🤔🙄😕.”
The user added, “This is no more desperation, it now madness.
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Similarly, Yemi Jacob expressed disappointment, writing, “I give up on Peter Obi, he is not it at all”.
Another user, Defender, mocked the development by welcoming Obi to the platform as a content creator.
“Hello everyone , welcome Mr Peter Obi , the TikTok content creator of O.K formerly Obidient movt 🤣,” the user wrote.
On Facebook, Brother Minister argued that Obi’s social media visibility reinforced concerns previously raised about his political strategy.
He wrote, “When some of us described Peter Obi as a social media President and a content creator, many people reacted emotionally instead of critically examining the argument behind the statement.
“While Atiku, Tinubu, and other political figures are busy working behind the scenes to build alliances and strengthen their political structures, Obi’s visible presence on social media, including TikTok, continues to attract attention.
“Politics is not won by social media engagement alone. It requires alliances, political structures, grassroots mobilization, and strategic negotiations. Online popularity is valuable, but it cannot automatically replace these fundamentals…”
The reactions reflect differing opinions over the role of social media in political engagement, with critics questioning whether Obi’s online visibility translates into the political alliances and structures needed to compete effectively.