The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has attracted attention online after making his first appearance on a TikTok Live session, where he appeared surprised by the platform’s virtual gifts and playful visual effects.
Obi joined the Emir Sirdam Show on Sunday night, October 11, 2026, interacting with young Nigerians and discussing national issues during the live broadcast.
The session took a light-hearted turn as viewers sent virtual gifts, including flowers, lions and universe tokens, while using augmented reality filters that added caps, glasses and moustaches to the former Anambra State governor’s face.
Reacting to the unusual experience, Obi said with a smile, “I am wondering what is happening to me this evening.”
The remark came as the host explained the different digital gifts and visual effects appearing on the screen, seemingly leaving the presidential hopeful amused by the level of audience participation.
The broadcast reportedly attracted thousands of concurrent viewers and millions of likes, while clips from the session and viewers’ reactions sparked discussions across Nigerian social media platforms.
Obi’s appearance highlights the growing use of social media platforms by politicians seeking to engage younger voters through informal, interactive sessions outside traditional campaign rallies, television interviews and press conferences.
TikTok Live allows users to communicate with hosts in real time through comments, virtual gifts and interactive visual effects, offering public figures an alternative channel for reaching audiences.
With the 2027 general election approaching, politicians are increasingly exploring digital platforms to connect with Nigerians, particularly young people, whose participation will be important in the forthcoming electoral contest.
