Peter Obi’s “minimalist” politics makes it difficult for APC to box him in
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Peter Obi’s opponents in the All Progressives Congress (APC) find it difficult to contain his growing political influence because he operates outside the traditional box of Nigerian politics, says Abuja School of Social and Political Thought Director, Sam Amadi.
He told Rudolf Okonkwo in an interview on 90MinutesAfrica that Obi’s political style is “minimalist” which frustrates efforts by the APC to suppress or weaken his movement.
Obi’s unconventional approach, Amadi reiterated, gives him flexibility and resilience in a system dominated by structure-based politics, but also limits his ability to build enduring political institutions.
“Look at how he runs his campaign. It is difficult for the APC government to stop him because he is everywhere. He has no structure for them to smash. But he also has his own downside,” he said.
In his view, Obi relies more on organic popular mobilisation and less on party machinery, a method that makes him elusive even though fraught with institutional weaknesses.
“Peter Obi is not the type of politician who can carry the burden of organising institutions and structures, which require enormous time and resources.”
Amadi explained that Obi’s preference for lean organisation reflects his minimalist strategy that maximises visibility and public connection while minimising bureaucratic overheads, making it hard for entrenched political actors to stymie or co-opt his movement.
On religious persecution in the North, Amadi warned that Christians in the region are being treated as second-class citizens, flagging violence against them as “state-tolerated and sanctioned mass violence.”
He added: “So, the Nigerian state is toying with inconsistency and contradictions. I see the Northern Christians becoming more of second-class citizens. So yes, the Nigerian state is guilty and complicit in the sustained violence against Northern Christians.”
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