Veteran Nigerian comedian Alibaba has dropped some serious political knowledge, revealing an eye-opening conversation he had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo about what it really takes to win a presidential election in Nigeria. Speaking on the Outside the Box Podcast, Alibaba described the chat as a “political masterclass” that gave a deep dive into the power dynamics and strategic moves that shape Nigeria’s politics.
Obasanjo shared that securing the backing of seven key governors—Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna—and even the Central Bank governor is critical to clinching victory. He also emphasized the importance of controlling major senatorial districts, as well as handing out government contracts early in a tenure to build loyalty. As Obasanjo put it, “You simply ask, do you want this contract to continue?”
In a more controversial part of the conversation, Alibaba revealed that Obasanjo suggested suspending corruption cases against wealthy former governors to gain political support. He also touched on the need for backing from grassroots groups and powerful nations like the U.S. or China. According to Obasanjo, the game isn’t just about winning elections—it’s about controlling the entire system, from the media to electoral bodies and even traditional institutions.
These explosive revelations have sparked a major debate online about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.