Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is struggling to contain Peter Obi’s growing political influence because he operates outside the traditional structure of Nigerian politics.
Amadi stated this in an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, describing Obi’s political style as “minimalist.”
He maintained that Obi’s political style frustrates efforts by the ruling party to suppress or weaken his movement.
Amadi reiterated that Obi’s unconventional approach gives him flexibility and resilience in a system dominated by structure-based politics, adding that it 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,” Amadi said.
According to him, Obi relies more on organic popular mobilisation and less on party machinery, stressing that this method makes him an elusive political figure but one 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,” he added.
The Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts Director further explained that Obi’s preference for lean organisation reflects his minimalist strategy — maximising visibility and public connection while minimising bureaucratic overheads. This, he explained, makes it difficult for entrenched political actors to contain or co-opt his movement.
Beyond electoral politics, Amadi also spoke on religious tensions in northern Nigeria, warning that Christians in the region are increasingly treated as second-class citizens.
He described the violence against them as “state-tolerated and sanctioned mass violence.”
“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,” he noted.