“Social media is going to vote,” asserts Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, dispelling claims that internet mobilisations would not translate to electoral success in Nigeria’s federal elections next year.

On Friday, Mr Baba-Ahmed was announced Vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party to run with former Anambra governor Peter Obi.

He granted an interview with the Channels TV later in the day.

“Go and start looking at the bookings of major European airlines into Nigeria, not during Christmas time. After Christmas time. Late January to third week of February. You will see that they are getting full,” Mr Baba Ahmed said.

“Unusually, I’m into the business of data and statistics. And I decided to particularly look at that. This tells you that social media is going to vote. Even if they are in Antarctica, one person is there and he mobilises 100,000 people here to go out and vote. It has succeeded,” he explained. 

Many young Nigerians who tag themselves ‘Obidients’ are rooting online for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections. Young people make up over 50 per cent of the voting population.

The rave has even gone up a notch since the announcement of Mr Baba-Ahmed, a 48-year-old academic and former senator, on Friday.

Mr Obi, 60, will stand against septuagenarian candidates of the two main political parties in Nigeria: Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.