Nigerian comedian, Aderombi Adedayo, widely known as DeeOne, has advised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to rethink and strengthen his political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, DeeOne argued that symbolic gestures and what he described as “sympathy votes” would not be sufficient to secure victory in the next electoral cycle. He maintained that a more structured, strategic and well-funded campaign approach would be necessary to compete effectively.
According to him, while Obi may have benefited from public goodwill and popular support in the 2023 election, relying on similar tactics in 2027 could prove ineffective.
“You cannot win a presidential election with sympathy votes; it will not work,” DeeOne said. “It may have given him some leverage in the last election, but in 2027 it will not work.”
The comedian referenced Obi’s widely publicised modest lifestyle and frequent visits to local markets, including moments where he was seen interacting with traders and buying items such as groundnuts. He noted that although such gestures may resonate with certain voters, they should not form the core of a presidential campaign strategy.
“I am not saying you should not buy or price groundnuts, but those strategies will not work again,” he added.
DeeOne also cautioned against underestimating the political influence of President Bola Tinubu and what supporters have dubbed the ‘City Boy Movement,’ suggesting that any serious challenger must be prepared to match strong political structures and mobilisation efforts.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the Labour Party, was declared third in the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The outcome was subsequently challenged at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and later at the Supreme Court, both of which upheld the declared result.
Further emphasising the need for organisation and financial planning, DeeOne cited former United States President Donald Trump as an example of the scale of resources often deployed in national campaigns. He pointed to reports indicating that Trump committed significant personal funds to his campaign efforts, underscoring the level of investment required in presidential contests.
“Presidential election is not a joke; you have to show workings,” he stated, urging transparency in political fundraising and expenditure while calling for stronger grassroots mobilisation and campaign logistics ahead of 2027.
DeeOne to Peter Obi: ‘Groundnut Politics’ Not Enough for 2027, Says Comedian
