I Must Admit That There Are Some Yorubas Who Believed That Obi Is Their Candidate - Bayo Onanuga Speaks - Legitvibes -

For decades, Nigerian politics has often been analyzed through the lens of the "bloc vote"—the idea that geopolitical zones vote as a monolith for "their own." However, the 2023 general election began to dismantle this narrative.

In a political landscape often defined by rigid ethnic lines, a recent statement by Bayo Onanuga, a prominent figure in the APC and Special Adviser to President Tinubu, has sent ripples through the Nigerian commentary space. For decades, Nigerian politics has often been analyzed

It suggests that the South-West is not a political monolith. There is a healthy, internal debate happening about the future of Nigeria and who is best suited to lead it. The Road Ahead There is a healthy, internal debate happening about

The Nigerian voter is evolving. Performance, policy, and persona are becoming just as important as a candidate's place of birth. If prominent strategists like Bayo Onanuga are noticing the shift, it means the era of taking "home base" support for granted may be coming to an end. If prominent strategists like Bayo Onanuga are noticing

Onanuga’s willingness to admit this reality is, in itself, a step toward a more honest political discourse. Instead of dismissing dissenters as "traitors" to the ethnic cause, acknowledging their existence recognizes the diversity of thought within the Yoruba community.

Onanuga’s admission validates what the data already suggested: a growing segment of the Yoruba electorate is prioritizing ideology, governance track records, and personal conviction over ethnic affiliation. The support for Peter Obi (the Labour Party candidate) within the South-West wasn't just a statistical anomaly; it was a deliberate choice by voters seeking a different direction for the country. Why the Shift?