The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi following their parties’ poor performance in the just-concluded by-elections across 13 states.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured most of the seats, while the opposition coalition led by Atiku’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Obi’s Labour Party (LP) failed to win a single seat.
Onanuga, in a sarcastic post on his social media handle Monday morning, taunted the opposition leaders with the phrase: “How is the market now?”, with the pictures of Atiku and Obi—a mocking reference to their inability to deliver victories in their strongholds, including Adamawa (Atiku’s home state) and Anambra (Obi’s base).
The by-election results highlight the declining influence of the alliance formed by a break away faction of the APC, PDP and LP few months ago to challenge the APC’s dominance. Despite high hopes, the coalition could not mobilize enough support, raising questions about its cohesion and strategy.
The comprehensive defeat was particularly embarrassing for the ADC coalition which had brought together an array of political heavyweights just three months ago. The alliance included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi. Despite this star-studded lineup, the coalition failed to win a single seat in what was supposed to be their strongholds.
In Adamawa State, Atiku’s political backyard, the APC claimed victory in the Fufore/Song federal constituency election with a comfortable merging. Anambra State, considered Peter Obi’s territory following his strong showing in the 2023 presidential election, saw the Labour Party candidate lose decisively in the Nnewi North state constituency race by nearly 5,000 votes. Perhaps most surprisingly, Kaduna State – where former Governor El-Rufai had maintained significant influence – delivered a resounding win for the APC in the Chikun state constituency by-election with over 60% of total votes cast
Atiku and Obi, who were presidential candidates in 2023, had pledged to unite opposition forces against the APC. However, the latest polls suggest their alliance has failed to resonate with voters. The APC’s victories in key states, including previously opposition-held areas, indicate a shift in political loyalty.
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