new sheriff?

In Nigeria’s elections, has Obi’s Labour Party become a formidable force?

By Ben Ezeamalu

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Posted on March 27, 2023 11:12

© Nigeria’s Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, adjust his glasses during a press briefing on the outcome of the 2023 Nigeria presidential and general election in Abuja on March 2, 2023. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON / AFP) — Nigeria’s Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, adjust his glasses during a press briefing on the outcome of the 2023 Nigeria presidential and general election in Abuja on March 2, 2023. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON / AFP)

Nigeria’s 2023 general elections broke away from the traditional two-horse contest with the introduction of a third – and seemingly formidable force – into the contest: the Peter Obi-inspired Labour Party (LP).

From having a zero chance at winning a state assembly seat eight months to the elections, the LP returned home from the National Assembly polls on 25 February 2023 with eight seats in the senate and 36 members in the House of Representatives, the third-largest haul after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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Candidates

Atiku Abubakar

Peoples Democratic Party

Bola Tinubu

All Progressives Congress

Peter Obi

Labour Party

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