By David Onwuchekwa
The political drama that unfolded at the Item Okpi Festival in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, where Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was confronted with persistent chants of “Obi! Obi!” while campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, offers an important lesson ahead of the 2027 general election.
Beyond the embarrassment of a prominent APC politician struggling to command the attention of a crowd while promoting the President’s second-term ambition, the incident raises fundamental questions about political popularity, grassroots acceptance, party mobilisation and the limits of elite political alliances.
For the APC, particularly its political leaders in the South-East, the incident should not be dismissed as ordinary crowd behaviour or the handiwork of political opponents. It deserves serious political interpretation.
Kalu occupies an important position in the political structure of the country. As Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, he represents one of the most influential political figures from the South-East within the ruling party.
His campaign for Tinubu is also part of the broader APC effort to strengthen its electoral presence in a region where Peter Obi continues to command considerable political attention.
Yet, the reaction at Item Okpi suggests that occupying an important political office does not automatically translate into the ability to influence public opinion.
This is where the real lesson lies.
Political Alliances Are Not the Same as Popular Acceptance.
One of the major calculations behind the APC’s growing political engagement in the South-East is that political alignments, federal appointments, access to government and the presence of influential Igbo politicians within the ruling party could help improve Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the region.
These factors may provide political advantages, but they do not automatically guarantee voters’ support.
The ordinary voter is not necessarily persuaded by the number of political officeholders supporting a candidate.
Voters also consider economic conditions, security, infrastructure, employment opportunities, personal experiences and the perceived performance of government.
A politician may successfully assemble hundreds of political stakeholders around a presidential candidate, but the ultimate question remains whether those stakeholders can persuade ordinary people to vote accordingly.
The Item Okpi incident demonstrates why grassroots acceptance must never be taken for granted.
Peter Obi Remains a Political Factor
The repeated chants of Peter Obi’s name are equally significant because they suggest that his political appeal remains a factor in the South-East political conversation.
Obi’s political strength is not based exclusively on his former position as Anambra State governor or his 2023 presidential performance. It is also connected to a movement of supporters who see him as an alternative to the established political order.
The APC should therefore understand that political mobilisation against Obi cannot succeed merely through the presence of influential politicians or the distribution of political appointments.
There must be a compelling political argument for why voters should abandon their existing preferences and support Tinubu.
However, it would be premature to interpret the reaction of one festival crowd as proof that the entire Abia electorate, or the South-East as a whole, has settled on a particular presidential candidate. A crowd’s reaction is an important political signal, not an election result.
The real test will come through sustained political engagement, polling evidence and, ultimately, votes cast at the ballot box.
The Danger of Confusing Political Structures With Electoral Strength
Another important lesson concerns the difference between political structures and genuine electoral strength.
Political parties often celebrate the number of prominent individuals who have joined their campaigns, the number of political meetings held and the size of their campaign organisations.
But elections are not won through political titles alone.
A deputy speaker, governor, senator, minister or party chairman may possess considerable political influence, but that influence must be converted into meaningful engagement with voters.
The APC must therefore look beyond political endorsements and ask whether its message is connecting with the people.
If a campaign is unable to secure the attention of its audience at a public gathering, it should examine the content of its message, the credibility of its messenger and the concerns of the people it seeks to persuade.
This is not peculiar to the APC. Every political party and candidate faces the same challenge.
A Lesson for South-East Political Leaders
For South-East politicians, the incident should also serve as a reminder that political representation comes with the responsibility of understanding the feelings and expectations of the people.
Political leaders cannot always assume that because they have chosen a political direction, their constituents will automatically follow.
Democratic politics requires persuasion, consultation and accountability.
The region’s political leaders must understand that the electorate is becoming increasingly conscious of its choices. Voters may listen to political leaders, attend campaign rallies and even applaud their speeches without necessarily accepting their candidates.
That distinction is fundamental.
Benjamin Kalu and other South-East APC leaders must therefore recognise that winning the confidence of voters requires more than explaining why Tinubu deserves another term. They must demonstrate what the administration has delivered, what remains outstanding and what additional benefits the South-East can realistically expect.
The same standard should apply to Peter Obi and every other presidential aspirant.
The Bigger Message for 2027
The Item Okpi incident may eventually become one of the memorable political moments of the emerging 2027 campaign season. But its significance goes beyond the viral video and the embarrassment of a particular campaign appearance.
It exposes the unpredictable nature of electoral politics.
Political leaders may negotiate alliances behind closed doors, announce endorsements, organise elaborate rallies and project confidence in their candidates. Yet, the electorate retains the final authority to accept or reject those political calculations.
The message is that political presence in the South-East must be matched with popular acceptance. That is what Tinubu and APC should understand.
Concerning Peter Obi and his supporters, the lesson is that public enthusiasm must eventually translate into organised political participation and votes.
Benjamin Kalu and other political campaigners, in this connection, should see the experience as a reminder that the people cannot be compelled to embrace a political message simply because it is being delivered by an influential officeholder.
Ultimately, the 2027 election will not be determined by who commands the loudest political structure, attracts the biggest political dignitaries or enjoys the greatest number of endorsements.
It will be determined by who successfully convinces Nigerians that their leadership offers the best answer to the country’s challenges.
The biggest lesson from Item Okpi is that political leaders may choose their candidates, but the people reserve the right to choose their president.
