Nigerian Politicians on TikTok: Obi, Kwankwaso and Others

Nigerian politics is finding new ways to reach the public, with familiar political figures exploring a platform long associated with entertainment, comedy, and viral videos. As attention gradually shifts towards the 2027 general elections, their activities on TikTok are creating another space for political messages, personal updates and conversations with Nigerians who follow public affairs online.

The latest development came on October 28, 2026, when former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso announced that he had joined TikTok, inviting Nigerians to follow his official account. The announcement attracted considerable attention within hours, adding his name to a growing list of political figures using the platform to communicate directly with the public.

Their presence has drawn attention to how Nigerian politicians are adapting their communication strategies as the next presidential election approaches. The dates they joined, the audiences their accounts attracted and the messages they shared offer a closer look at the growing intersection between social media and political engagement in Nigeria.

Rabiu Kwankwaso Joins TikTok on October 28, 2026

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso announced his arrival on TikTok on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, through a post on his official X account. He encouraged Nigerians to follow his new page, explaining that he intended to use it to share authentic information, recent updates and exclusive content about his daily activities.

Kwankwaso wrote, “I am on TikTok! I encourage you all to follow me there for authentic information, the latest updates, and exclusive contents directly related to my daily life. Nigeria will be OK. — RMK.” His message presented the account as an additional channel through which he could communicate with Nigerians without relying entirely on interviews, press conferences or statements published by news organisations.

The former governor also released a video welcoming users to his account and asking them to follow his page, share his videos and activate notifications. He said, “Hello TikTokers, welcome to our TikTok account. Turn on your notifications, follow us, share our video, thank you, and God bless you.”

His account attracted more than 59,000 followers and over 178,000 likes within hours of the announcement. These figures captured the early response to his arrival and were reported shortly after the account launched, meaning they should not be treated as its current statistics.

His decision to join TikTok came at a time when political discussions surrounding the 2027 general elections were gaining attention. With his established political network and longstanding association with the Kwankwasiyya movement, the platform offers him another way to communicate with existing supporters while reaching people who primarily consume information through short videos.

Kwankwaso’s Political Journey Before TikTok

Kwankwaso has spent decades in Nigerian politics, holding positions at both the federal and state levels. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, where he served as deputy speaker, before becoming governor of Kano State in 1999. His first term ended in 2003, after which he served as Nigeria’s minister of defence from 2003 to 2007.

He returned as Kano State governor in 2011 and remained in office until 2015. After leaving the position, he represented Kano Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2019. His political career has also been shaped by the Kwankwasiyya movement, a political organisation associated with his influence and support base, particularly in Kano State.

During the 2023 presidential election, Kwankwaso contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, commonly known as the NNPP. He finished fourth in the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, behind Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

His TikTok debut therefore represents another stage in his public communication rather than the beginning of his political engagement online. The account provides a platform for short videos and updates that can be shared beyond his established political circles, although its eventual reach will depend on the content published and the audience that chooses to follow it.

Peter Obi Joined TikTok on March 18, 2025

Peter Obi

Peter Obi established his TikTok presence on March 18, 2025, more than a year before Kwankwaso announced his arrival. The former Anambra State governor introduced the account through his official X page, describing it as his official and only TikTok account and inviting Nigerians to connect with him.

Obi wrote, “This is my official and only TikTok page. Kindly join me towards building a New Nigeria that is possible.” The message reflected the language associated with his political campaign and appealed to his supporters, popularly known as Obidients, as well as other Nigerians interested in his political activities.

His account had accumulated more than 547,000 followers and 3.4 million likes by October 28, 2026. Those figures placed his account among the most closely followed Nigerian political accounts discussed in reports about the politicians’ arrival on TikTok, although they represent figures recorded at a particular time rather than a live count.

Obi’s move followed the arrival of Nasir El Rufai, who had established his account days earlier in March 2025. The timing brought attention to the use of TikTok by prominent political figures, particularly those seeking to communicate with younger audiences and maintain contact with supporters outside conventional political gatherings.

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election as the Labour Party candidate and finished third in the official results announced by INEC. His political engagement since that election has continued to attract attention across social media, where his statements, public appearances and campaign related activities are frequently discussed.

Reactions to Obi’s TikTok Appearance

Obi’s arrival on TikTok generated a mixture of responses across social media. Some users welcomed him and encouraged others to follow his account, while others questioned the political value of joining a platform commonly associated with entertainment and short form video content.

The discussion extended beyond the decision to open an account, touching on how politicians could use social media to communicate their ideas and organise their supporters. Some comments focused on the growing presence of political figures on entertainment platforms, while others emphasised the need for political parties to maintain strong structures and mobilise voters outside the internet.

Further debate surrounding Obi’s TikTok presence was documented on October 12, 2026. The discussion reflected different views about the relationship between online visibility and political activity, including questions about whether an expanding social media audience could contribute to meaningful participation in the political process.

Such reactions should be understood as individual comments and reported discussions rather than a scientific measurement of public opinion across Nigeria. Social media conversations can attract substantial attention without necessarily representing the views of the wider electorate.

Obi’s account nevertheless gives him another channel to publish messages, share updates and engage with people interested in his political activities. The extent to which that attention translates into broader political participation remains a separate question from the number of followers displayed on his page.

Nasir El Rufai Joined TikTok in March 2025

Nasir El Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai was another prominent Nigerian politician to establish a TikTok account in March 2025. His arrival came amid a period of political realignment following his departure from the All Progressives Congress and his move to the Social Democratic Party.

El Rufai introduced his account as a place where Nigerians could follow his videos, comments and conversations about politics, alongside activities connected to his new party. He stated, “This is my only official TikTok page. Please join me for videos, comments, conversations on Nigerian politics, and the activities of our new party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Welcome on board.”

His announcement presented TikTok as a platform for political discussion rather than simply a place to publish personal videos. By specifically mentioning Nigerian politics and party activities, El Rufai outlined the subjects he intended to address through the account.

His account had attracted approximately 223,000 followers and 259,000 profile likes by March 15, 2025. Those figures provide an early snapshot of the attention his account received, although they cannot be directly compared with more recent figures without accounting for the different reporting dates.

El Rufai’s entry into TikTok also attracted attention because of his political background as a former governor and his involvement in discussions surrounding opposition politics. His account created another avenue for communicating with the public during a period when political affiliations and alliances were receiving considerable attention.

Obi joined the platform shortly afterwards, adding another nationally recognised political figure to the growing list of accounts attracting attention. Their arrivals demonstrated how politicians could use the same platform to communicate different messages, even when their political backgrounds and immediate objectives were not identical.

Omoyele Sowore’s Existing TikTok Presence

Omoyele Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, was also among the Nigerian political figures already active on TikTok. His presence shows that political communication through the platform existed before the accounts associated with Obi, El Rufai and Kwankwaso attracted widespread attention.

Sowore has built his public profile through activism, political commentary and criticism of government policies. Social media has been an important channel for circulating his messages and drawing attention to issues he raises, giving him an established presence among Nigerians who follow political discussions online.

His use of TikTok illustrates how politicians and activists can incorporate short videos into their wider communication activities. The format allows users to present statements, discuss public affairs and distribute content that can subsequently circulate across other social media platforms.

The development also highlights the need to distinguish genuine political accounts from pages operated by supporters, campaign organisations or impersonators. A page bearing a politician’s name or photograph is not automatically an official account, and users should check whether it is linked to the person’s established social media profiles.

Comparing the Reported TikTok Followers

The figures reported for Kwankwaso, Obi and El Rufai offer an indication of the attention their accounts attracted during different periods. However, the numbers were recorded at different times, so they do not provide a reliable live ranking of their current audiences.

Kwankwaso attracted more than 59,000 followers and over 178,000 likes within hours of announcing his account on October 28, 2026. Obi had more than 547,000 followers and 3.4 million likes by October 28, 2026, while El Rufai had approximately 223,000 followers and 259,000 profile likes by March 15, 2025.

The difference between these figures partly reflects how long the accounts had been active when the numbers were reported. Obi’s account had been operating since March 18, 2025, while Kwankwaso’s announcement came on October 28, 2026. El Rufai’s figures, meanwhile, were recorded in March 2025 and should not be interpreted as his present audience size.

Followers and likes also measure different forms of engagement. Followers indicate the number of accounts subscribed to a page, while likes reflect reactions to content. Neither measure establishes how many people agree with a politician’s positions, belong to the politician’s party or intend to vote for that person.

Why Nigerian Politicians Are Turning to TikTok

TikTok’s short video format provides politicians with another way to present their activities, explain their positions and reach audiences who may not regularly follow political programmes on television or read newspapers. Videos can combine spoken messages, captions and visual material, allowing political communication to take a different form from a conventional press statement.

The platform also gives politicians greater control over the material they publish. Rather than relying entirely on media coverage, they can release a video directly to their followers and allow the audience to share it. Kwankwaso’s announcement about providing authentic information and updates about his daily activities illustrates how he presented the purpose of his account.

Another attraction is the possibility of maintaining contact with supporters between major political events. Campaign rallies, party meetings and public appearances occur at particular times, but social media accounts can remain active throughout the year. Politicians can use them to publish statements, announce engagements and continue conversations with people interested in their work.

The platform’s reach also offers opportunities to introduce political messages to people outside a politician’s traditional audience. A video shared by one user can circulate among others who do not follow the account directly, although the extent of that circulation varies from one post to another.

These opportunities do not guarantee that every political account will attract a large audience or that online engagement will produce tangible political results. The usefulness of TikTok depends on how politicians use the platform, the relevance of their content and the willingness of users to engage beyond watching or sharing videos.

Kwankwaso’s TikTok Debut Ahead of the 2027 Election

Kwankwaso’s arrival on TikTok has drawn particular attention because of his association with Peter Obi and the political activities surrounding the 2027 presidential election. Their reported partnership under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as running mate, has placed their public communication within a wider discussion about opposition alliances.

The political activity surrounding the alliance has included efforts to engage other opposition figures. On October 28, 2026, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, identified as the NDC presidential campaign council director general, called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures to join the alliance backing Obi and Kwankwaso.

Kwankwaso’s new account provides an additional channel through which he can communicate independently, even when his political activities overlap with those of Obi. Both figures can publish their own statements and updates, while their respective audiences can share information about developments involving the alliance.

The timing has brought the account into the broader conversation about preparations for the next election. Nevertheless, the announcement alone does not establish that the NDC has introduced a coordinated TikTok campaign or that the platform will determine the party’s electoral performance.

Can TikTok Shape Nigeria’s 2027 Election?

The growing presence of politicians on TikTok raises questions about the place of social media in the next general election. The platform can help candidates circulate messages, announce events and respond to developments, while supporters can distribute political content across different online communities.

Online visibility, however, is different from electoral support. A person may follow a politician because of curiosity, interest in a particular video or a desire to keep up with political developments without agreeing with that person’s policies. A video receiving a large number of likes also does not reveal how many viewers are registered voters or how they intend to vote.

Electoral participation involves several factors beyond social media, including political organisation, campaign activities, policy proposals, party structures and voter turnout. Online communication can contribute to a campaign’s public engagement, but follower counts alone cannot establish the extent of its influence on voting decisions.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the accounts of Obi, Kwankwaso, El Rufai and Sowore may provide additional spaces for political messages and public discussions. Their activity will offer a way to observe how established political figures use digital platforms, but the electoral significance of that activity will require evidence beyond social media statistics.

What Nigerians Should Know About Official Political Accounts

The increasing presence of politicians on TikTok makes it important for users to verify the authenticity of accounts before relying on their posts. Obi explicitly described his account as his official and only TikTok page when he announced it on March 18, 2025. El Rufai also presented his page as his official account, while Kwankwaso announced his arrival through his established X account.

Users can check whether a TikTok page is linked from a politician’s established social media profiles and compare its content with statements published through other recognised channels. This can help them distinguish official communications from accounts run by supporters or individuals using a politician’s identity without authorisation.

Political videos also need to be considered in context because clips can be edited, reposted or accompanied by captions that do not accurately reflect the original message. Checking the original publication and comparing important claims with reliable reports can help users avoid circulating misleading information.

The Growing Role of TikTok in Nigerian Politics

Kwankwaso’s announcement on October 28, 2026, has brought renewed attention to the use of TikTok by Nigerian political figures. Obi established his account on March 18, 2025, while El Rufai had joined earlier that month, and Sowore was already using the platform before the other accounts became subjects of similar attention.

Their presence reflects the expanding range of channels available to politicians seeking to communicate with Nigerians. TikTok provides a format for short videos and direct updates, while established platforms such as X remain useful for statements and announcements that can be shared across political networks.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, these accounts may become increasingly visible during political discussions, campaign activities and public engagement. The reported follower figures show that their pages have attracted attention, but the extent to which that attention translates into participation, party activity or votes remains to be established.

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