BY: Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed
Deep findings by Track News Nigeria has shown that Peter Obi, the presidential standard bearer of Labour Party (LP) for the forthcoming 2023 general elections, does not have the highest number of followers on social media.
Recall that claims have been circulating online that Mr. Obi has the largest social media followership.
However, a deep analysis of the three main presidential flag-bearers for the 2023 election and their precise number of followers as obtained from three popular social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) have been revealed below:
Abubakar Atiku
Track News Nigeria checked that presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Atiku Abubakar has the highest number of followers on Twitter with 4.4 million followers; 146 following; and 7468 tweets as of Wednesday August, 3, 2023.
He has 1.5m and 448k on Facebook and Instagram respectively.
Atiku, who was with Twitter since August 2010 identifies as Atiku Abubakar with the verified handle, @atiku.
Looking at his biography, it reads: “Former Vice President of Nigeria. Waziri Adamawa, Businessman, Father and Philanthropist. PDP Presidential Candidate, 2023.”
Atiku, who takes the largest followership more than any of the presidential candidate is gunning for the 2023 race after two failed attempts at the Nigeria’s seat of leadership in 2007 and 2019 respectively.
Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the Labour Party, LP presidential man, is seen as the second candidate with highest followers on Twitter.
Obi, took Twitter as an added platform in October 2018 and is with a total of 1.7 million followers, with 43 following.
When checked, he is with 400k and 246k on Facebook and Instagram respectively.
The Labour Party candidate consistently enjoy Twitter trend with his much-touted Obi-dient followership base who are obstinate that he will be the Nigeria’s next president, relying on a social media political structure and campaign.
He identifies as Peter Obi with the verified handle, @PeterObi, while his bio reads, “Former Governor, Anambra State. Tweets by him are signed -PO.”
Obi, a two-term past governor of Anambra State is contesting for the topmost political office in Nigeria for the first time.
The Labour Party candidate had previous run for for presidency as running mate to Atiku in 2019, but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
Recall our earlier report that Obi defected to Labour Party in 2022 shortly before the PDP’s presidential primary when it became clear he would not fly the presidential ticket of the party.
Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, comes third in the ranking of presidential candidates with highest followers.
Tinubu joined Twitter in February 2012. His verified account identifies as Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the handle, @officialABAT.
With 1.3M followers and 35 following, his bio reads, “Official handle of APC Presidential Candidate ‘23. Fmr Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria. Progressive Democrat, Advocate of True Federalism & Nationalist.
Tinubu, a two-term former governor of Lagos State is one of the front runner presidential candidates for the 2023 election.
Tinubu has 140k and 114k on Facebook and Instagram respectively.
