The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has questioned the strength of Peter Obi’s online support base, claiming that many members of the “Obidient” movement on social media are automated or manipulated accounts, commonly known as bots.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday, May 7, Bwala argued that the actual number of human supporters backing the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate is relatively small. He made the comments while responding to claims that the Presidency appears overly focused on Obi because of the 6.1 million votes he secured in the 2023 election.
According to Bwala:
“When we keep quiet, Peter Obi and his Obidients talk about the Tinubu administration from morning till night. But once we respond, people say we are reacting to them.
“Peter Obi has a followership called the Obidients that is largely made up of what we call bot accounts. Anyone familiar with social media and algorithm manipulation can see that.
“The real Obidients — the actual human beings — are not that many when you see them physically on the streets.”
