Peter Obi's supporters have come under sharp criticism from Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who described them as "monsters" and warned they could jeopardize his 2027 presidential ambitions. In a series of posts on X on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa blamed Obi for the conduct of his followers, known as Obidients, stating, "@PeterObi has actually raised monsters." She predicted that they might become his downfall, adding, "When it's the turn of the south east and who knows, if the lot falls on him, I hope he knows that these obingos/Obi-dients will ironically be his downfall." Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the warning in follow-up posts, emphasizing that Obi must rein in his supporters. Her comments followed backlash from Obidients on her earlier post about a meeting with Nigerian professionals in Silicon Valley, California, where she praised their contributions and took a ride in a driverless car. She defended her online engagement, clarifying that her X account is personal and rejecting the idea that public office requires silence in the face of criticism.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa's outburst reveals a growing discomfort among APC-aligned figures about the sustained momentum of Peter Obi's support base, even without formal political office. By calling Obidients "monsters" and directly blaming Obi for their behaviour, she shifts focus from policy or governance to the emotional charge of fandom — a tactic often used to delegitimise grassroots political energy. Her use of the term "obingos" further underscores an attempt to mock rather than engage.
The context is critical: Obi has not held elected office since 2014, yet his influence persists through digital networks and youth-driven mobilisation. Dabiri-Erewa's frustration emerged not from a political rally or policy debate, but from online pushback to a feel-good diaspora engagement post. That a government official would feel personally attacked by critiques of a Silicon Valley photo op suggests a thinning line between public representation and partisan identity.
For ordinary Nigerians, especially young voters who see Obi as a symbol of political renewal, this moment reinforces perceptions of an establishment threatened by non-traditional influence. It is not the support that alarms, but its independence from party machinery.
This fits a broader pattern: as traditional political figures struggle to control narratives online, personal attacks on supporters increasingly substitute for ideological contestation.
