Hon. Murtala Dantoro, son of Royal Highness Aliyu Dantoro, has shared his perspective on former presidential candidate Peter Obi and the challenges of winning support across Nigeria’s regions. Speaking on Mic on Podcast, Dantoro explained why he believes Obi would be better positioned as a vice-presidential candidate rather than the presidential flagbearer.
According to him, “Look, Peter Obi is a very good candidate, but my problem is the north. Peter Obi needs to prove himself; I’ll advise Peter Obi to go for vice. Yes, because right now, if you’re talking about the northern part, Atiku has an upper hand in the north, an upper hand in the south, and some parts of the east. And Peter Obi being the vice will help in the east as well. And you know what? If Peter Obi is the vice today, and they’re in power today, I know he’s going to prove himself that the northerners will love him because the northerners need to see him do the job. But if he becomes the flag bearer today, they’ll not listen to him. Do you know why? Because they have a belief of the Igbos, and you know how we have tribal issues in Nigeria.”
Dantoro explained that northern voters often need to see a candidate perform in office before offering their support, particularly for leaders from the southeastern region. He argued that historical and cultural perceptions of the Igbos influence voting patterns, making it difficult for Obi to gain immediate acceptance as a presidential candidate.
He further stated that serving as vice president would allow Obi to demonstrate competence and earn trust from voters across the north while maintaining his influence in the east. Dantoro emphasized that a strategic approach to candidacy—considering regional dynamics and perceptions—could help bridge divides and increase Obi’s national appeal.
He reiterated that Nigeria’s electoral landscape is heavily shaped by regional beliefs and historical biases, and that overcoming these perceptions is key for any candidate seeking broad-based support.
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