With the conclusion of party primaries and the emergence of presidential candidates, the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa come 2023 is getting heated up. Candidates, especially, those vying for the number one position in the country have continued to latch onto social media to reach out to millions of potential voters.
While it is believed that elections are not won or lost based on social media sentiments, there is no doubt that the number of followership a candidate commands on such platforms mirrors the popularity of such candidate, at least, on social media.
Nairametrics looks at the followership of some of the top Presidential candidates which include Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Yele Sowore of Africa Action Congress (AAC). Based on the three major social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, here is what we found:
The microblogging site is quite popular among young Nigerians. While there is no accurate figure for the number of Nigerians on the platform yet—until Twitter releases an official figure—it can be safely said that there are millions of Nigerians on Twitter.
A vibrant space for political and economic discussions, politicians all over the world recognize the power of Twitter and have continued to leverage it for political success.
Until October 2020 when discussions on Twitter metamorphosed into physical demonstrations that almost put the country into total chaos, many had passed tweets on the Twitter NG space as mere rants that has no physical effect. Today, the government knows better, likewise the politicians who have been unveiling their manifesto to the Twitter community.
Who among the top 5 presidential candidates has the most followers on Twitter?
Atiku Abubakar(4.2 million Twitter followers)
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Bola Tinubu (1.1 million followers)
Peter Obi (1.1 million followers)
Yele Sowore  (728, 800 followers)
Rabiu Kwankwaso (172,200 followers)
According to Statista, as of March 2022, there were over 36 million Facebook users in Nigeria, accounting for 16.5% of the population. Overall, 33.2% of users were aged between 25 and 34 years, making this age group the largest user base in the country, followed by those aged 18 to 24 years. Just 4.5% of users were aged between 13 to 17 years.
Facebook as a social media platform is used mainly for connecting family, friends, and acquaintances. Just as businesses are using the platform to reach potential customers, so are politicians. This is how the top 5 Presidential candidates fared in terms of Facebook followership:Â
Atiku Abubakar (1 million followers)
Bola Tinubu (109, 324 followers)
Yele Sowore (363,974)
Unfortunately, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have many Facebook accounts opened in their names, none of which can be verified as belonging to them.
Though not much of a platform where politics is discussed as it is mainly for entertainment, the politicians are leaving nothing to chance, hence, they have also registered their presence on Instagram. The 5 candidates in focus all have Instagram accounts and have been active on the platform. Here are their stats:
Atiku Abubakar (419,000 followers)
Bola Tinubu (68,400 followers)
Peter Obi (32,100 followers)
Yele Sowore (190,000 followers)
Rabiu Kwankwaso (17,200 followers)
I love Atiku but will him provide adequate security for the citizens paticularly will him declared Fulani heardsmen as terrorists? Insecurity is our major problem which Buhari failed to do.
See bola tinubu and atiku are birth of the feather, there are power tursle and greedy, most importantly at their interest, what happened to lekki toll gate zaga, we need a philosopher king whom we can have g leviatan and people at heart including curbing this insecurity, unemployement, light and food scarcity, we need peter obi, whose intent is genuien and pragmatics, fuel and gas, garri and rice were afforded by both the rich and poor. Peter obi is the man who would never be sick of ear and brain.he is sound and hearty with good health.
My vote goes for atiku
Peter obi all the way, my vote will never go to another person except “OBIdIENT” (Peter obi)
Your blessing will never go to another person except
Tinubu will lost because of muslim-muslim ticket.
Thank you brother,
Future generations will judge Tinubu not by what he says, but by what he does.
Obidient is on
you people failed it , obi is more far than atiku and tinubu joined together on Facebook, obident all the way
there is no going back, we are wise now our eyes in open we are going to remain obident
God, bless this country with a good leader
Thank you brother
The Co-Founder of Comfort Mbah Foundation says that a Brighter Future for the Next Generation of Nigeria Peter Obi is better than Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu.
Future generations will judge us not by what we say, but what we do.
My pvc belong to Obidien
If you think I am supporting Peter Obi because he is a Christian then replace him with Orji Uzor Kalu, or Rochas Okorocha and see if I will do same.
If you think I disliked Atiku because he is not a Christian then replace him with Babagana Zulum or Lamido Sanusi and see if I won’t support anyone of them.
If you think I disliked Bola Tinubu because he is a Yoruba man, replace him with Akinwumi Adesina or Yemi Osinbajo and see if I won’t support anyone of them.
Fixing today’s Nigeria is beyond ethnicity, tribalism, religion etc,and even far beyond party affiliation.
All we are clamouring and roaring for; is credibility, accountability, productivity, security provider, and a responsible youthful fellow with a touch of integrity.
#obidient is a restoration movement
Comments by Comfort Mbah Foundation
God bless you . I think Peter Obi is better than Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu because only Peter Obi can have God Fearing and be proud for the young people and also make Nigerians proud around the world.
Nigeria is now waiting for the person who will save and change Nigeria for good, forever or the one who will destroy and promote Nigeria to worst forever. So dear brothers and sisters (Nigerians) be wise, be Obidient, let Peter Obi save us for ever
ATIKUlated
I beg you in the name of God, vote Peter Obi, he is the saviour our country needs right now, forget tribalism for now let’s do the right thing. Thank you!
I’m going for Atiku who is a man with the experience.
Hmm image how much they paid you to post it here rubbish here
Though Peter obi is not a saint, but his has the people at heart. He is not desperate to be president but to see Nigerian work. He is a man of accountability credibility trust-worthy a nationalist a kind man a national father the youth never had. God bless and keep in on the throne.As for me and my family Obi is remains our choice. Obidients for life.
Obidient all the way
ATIKU is the winner of 2023 election period
no doubt about it
I pray God should give us a man that fear him. The man that obeyed and feared God.
Atiku for president
young people remember it’s only Peter Obi we have Christian mind for us
Peter Obi is tested and trusted, we remain Obidient
Peter Obi for President