Obi Is My Guy, but the North Decides Elections; Amaechi as Candidate?Let’s Not Start Playing-Dantoro

Hon. Murtala Dantoro, son of His Royal Highness Aliyu Dantoro, has shared his views on the dynamics of Nigerian elections, emphasizing the influence of northern voters in determining outcomes. 

Speaking on Mic on Podcast, Dantoro discussed the prospects of former presidential candidate Peter Obi and the potential candidacy of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

According to him, “You see, Peter Obi is my guy; I love him. He’s good, but if we’re going to go sentimental, that’s personal interest, but let’s face facts. The majority of votes come from the North; Peter Obi needs to prove himself to the northerners before they’ll vote for him. The northerners, when they place their mind on something, that’s where they are, and it’s their own belief, it’s their own way of living, it’s their lifestyle. So if you say His Excellency, the past minister, Rotimi Amaechi, as the candidate? look, we want to win elections; let us not start playing anything.”

Dantoro explained that electoral success in Nigeria heavily depends on the support of northern voters, who traditionally constitute a decisive portion of the electorate. He suggested that candidates must build trust and appeal across regions rather than relying solely on popularity or sentiment.

He further stated that while Peter Obi is someone he admires, winning a national election requires strategy and engagement with voters from all geopolitical zones. Dantoro cautioned against speculative discussions about alternative candidates like Amaechi, emphasizing that political decisions should focus on realistic approaches to winning elections rather than personal preferences.

He reiterated that understanding regional voting patterns and respecting local political cultures is essential for any candidate aiming to secure broad support in Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape.