Founder of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has offered a sobering reflection on the 2023 presidential election in the South-East, stressing that despite Peter Obi’s overwhelming popularity, the region failed to leverage its full voting strength.
In an interview with Independent Newspaper on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Okorie addressed lingering concerns over the role played by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, in the election.
Some observers had argued that perceived tensions between Soludo and Obi discouraged young voters in the region. However, Okorie dismissed such claims, insisting that Soludo’s position had little effect on the outcome.
“Peter Obi secured 88% of votes in the South-East, which in academic terms would be considered a first-class result. When translated into actual figures, it amounted to only about 1.8 million votes.
Before that election, INEC’s register indicated that the South-East had 11.5 million registered voters, yet fewer than 2 million turned out. Is it Soludo that caused it?” he asked.
Okorie noted that Obi’s sweeping performance in the region demonstrated unity of purpose among the electorate but lamented that the dismal turnout diminished the political impact of the result. He argued that had the South-East mobilized even half of its registered voters, Obi’s national tally could have shifted significantly.
“What happened was not about Soludo. It was about the people themselves. They had the numbers but did not come out. Political apathy, anger, and disillusionment took their toll. Many young people preferred to vent their frustrations on social media or call for secession, instead of translating their energy into votes,” Okorie said.
He stressed that the 2023 election exposed a contradiction in Igbo political activism loud voices online and on the streets, but silence at the ballot box.
“Some youths even argued that voting was useless, that the system was already rigged. Others chose violence as an option, forgetting that real change only comes through participation,” he added.
Okorie further observed that the South-East’s inability to maximize its voting power weakened Obi’s chances nationally. Despite winning across the region and making impressive inroads in Lagos, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, Obi ultimately fell short against the combined strength of the APC and PDP structures.
According to him, the lesson is clear: numbers matter more than sentiments. “Democracy is a game of numbers. You may be the most popular candidate, but if your people don’t show up, you cannot win. The South-East must take this to heart ahead of future elections,” Okorie emphasized.
He urged Igbo leaders, political groups, and civil society organizations to prioritize voter education and mobilization. “We must not repeat the mistake of 2023. If 11.5 million people are on the register, then we should target at least 60 percent turnout. Anything less will continue to leave the region politically shortchanged,” he said.
Okorie also appealed to youths to channel their passion into constructive engagement rather than despair.
“Agitation and secessionist rhetoric cannot replace the ballot box. If you want a better Nigeria, you must register, vote, and defend your vote. That is how democracy works,” he stated.
While commending Obi for energizing the political space and inspiring millions, Okorie maintained that the next challenge is ensuring that such enthusiasm translates into higher turnout.
He concluded that the South-East must learn from its past missteps if it wishes to wield greater influence in Nigeria’s democratic future.
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