0:00 When last did you see a Peter Obi billboard? >> I haven't seen it. >> I haven't seen. Yeah, I've been saying that. >> Nobody has ever won anything close to the a tenth of Peter Obi's votes without considerable outdoor campaigns. Because Peter Obi is the billboard. >> [laughter] >> Interesting. >> He goes he takes so there's a lot of research about how much free airtime Trump got. >> Yes, because he was on the podcast. He was on internet. Yes. >> he was on radio, he was on TV. He was calling to Fox News. Peter Obi was calling to a show. Peter Obi would do he says he's going to do Peller. >> Quick one, before we jump into the Afropolitan podcast, I have a problem. So my issue is that 72% of you are not subscribed to the Afropolitan podcast. So I need you to click the subscribe
0:46 button so you can join the Afropolitan family. Now we can jump back to it. >> Now I want you to do an analysis for us because this is you're you're an expert in this, right? PETER OBI. >> YES. [laughter] SOUNDS LIKE DANGER IS COMING, BUT LET'S GO. YES. >> RIGHT? From my perspective, does not seem to have the same sort of campaign, >> Yes. >> management, perception management. Now obviously he is who he is, but can you if you were in if you were to consult for Peter Obi today, this is free masterclass, what are some of the feedbacks that you would give? >> Right. So that's because you know that I can get into all kinds of jobs. But let's do our best let's do strategic communications. Yes, hypothetically. So Peter >> ON LAGOS LIFE. [laughter]
1:31 IMAGINE YOU'RE ON LAGOS LIFE >> BECAUSE I'M JUST TRYING TO GET this through. So the one thing that Peter Obi's campaign doesn't have deliberately is gloss. >> Mm. >> Is what? >> Gloss. >> Gloss. Okay, gloss. >> Okay, explain gloss. >> Which means that so for instance talking about the Rolls-Royce. Yes, it [laughter] doesn't do filter. And that's because he built his entire brand luckily for him on not doing filter. Luckily for him and and it's not though it's not luckily it's strategic. Peter Obi is one of the sharpest sharpest deepest densest political talents we've had in two generations. So that everything is authentic, but everything is strategic. Yeah. And so he figured out that we had political political campaigns are in
2:16 cycles. It's just like how you know that the Democrats are in office, the midterms are going to go to. So it's cycles. So when a when a citizenry has seen gloss, really the next thing they really want is not gloss. You know, they think they think but they are responding to what just passed. So Peter Obi understood the moment perfectly. And he was also temperamentally suited for the moment. So the gloss is not a a bug, it's a feature, the lack of gloss. Now the one thing that Peter Obi that I would add to the campaign because the campaign's already running well, there are two things. One is structural, which is he's already figuring out with his deputy Kwankwaso um and then trying to figure out by focusing a lot more on the north in these elections behind the scenes. But what the one thing that Peter Obi struggles with, I think, and I think he
3:01 himself would admit this, is um interview discipline. [snorts] And that is important because his most his lethalest tool, his most lethal tool, is interviews. >> Interesting. >> Peter Obi is in politics almost exactly like Trump. >> Yeah. >> Not in policy, which means that what Peter Obi does is he starts talking and he doesn't stop. So it's an endless conversation. He's talking at nursing homes, he's talking at political rallies, he's he understands that his most important asset is his voice and him showing up. >> Yeah. >> And he gives a lot of that. Peter Obi does has done more interviews than every
3:49 Nigerian president since Babangida. >> Wow. Okay. >> Peter Obi has done more interviews than all Nigerian presidents since Babangida combined. >> That's >> crazy. >> [laughter] >> Someone that has >> not >> president oh. >> You know and I'M I'M SURE IT INCLUDES THOSE BEFORE, BUT I SAID I DID THIS data and I did this for a client. So I did it from Babangida because we're safer. We could kind of tie it because Babangida did a lot of a lot more interviews than normal president. >> Yeah. >> And so we kind of look for how many Tell magazine interviews did he do? How many news watching? All of that. Peter Obi has done more. >> Wow. >> Peter Obi So I asked people, when last did you see a Peter Obi billboard? >> I haven't seen it. >> I haven't seen it. Yeah, I I've been saying that. >> has ever won anything close to the a
4:35 tenth of Peter Obi's votes without considerable outdoor campaigns. >> Ah. >> Because Peter Obi is the billboard. >> Interesting. >> He goes he takes So there's a lot of research about how much free airtime Trump got. >> Yes. Because he was on the podcast. He was on interview. >> He was on radio. He was on TV. He was calling to Fox News. Peter Obi would call into a show. Peter Obi would do He says he's going to do Peller. Peter Obi would do You know that's the same strategy. So he deliberately realized that he could get a lot of free here. He studied Nigerian politics and realized that many of the conventions that I had been saying were false for a long time >> Mhm. >> false and that he could do it a different way especially in the digital media space and directly to people. So that is his largest strength. But
5:20 because it is his largest strength and because he's a free wheeler >> Yeah. >> like Trump >> Yeah. >> So I always say that uh if you look at it politically, Tinubu is like Hillary Clinton. >> Mhm. >> Every interview is arranged, aligned. He's an establishment candidate. He went literally through the ranks like uh senator first, governor's mansion. Obi went the other way. Just went to the back door, knocked. >> [laughter] >> Open the door. >> Open the door, walked in. And that's why they don't like each other. >> Yeah. >> I tell people that if you don't notice, this president has never wished Peter Obi a happy birthday. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Never. Never. So people who are establishment >> Yeah. >> people don't usually like people they see as usurpers. >> I built it brick by brick. >> I built it brick by brick. This is how it's done. >> Yeah. >> Both have their merits. So, so Peter Obi
6:06 because he's a free wheeler, >> Yeah. >> he doesn't have a lot of interview discipline. And so, anytime he's his opponents come for him, if you notice, it's the words that he said. And so, yes, it's not now they've come for him for, you know, he states things the bus dodgy really is the words that he says. >> Yeah. >> And so, if he were able to have that kind of team >> Yeah. >> that could help with that in a way that doesn't muscle him. Cuz the challenge with PR people is that they riding you need to stop doing interviews and the man is thinking but that's how I got that's even how why you are here. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> No, so you have to how do you get keep the person's essence >> Yeah. >> but plug the leaks. >> Yeah. >> I think that's the only thing that his campaign is at this
6:52 >> Actually, you know, speaking of this because I was thinking about the outdoor campaign the other day. Um I think I was driving on Falomo Bridge and I'm like where are the other candidates? >> Yeah, yeah, [laughter] yeah. >> why do I see anybody else's like I think I saw one small poster like on the side with Peter Obi, but I'm not Yeah. >> Yeah, it's yes, it's a bigger problem. I think I think I I don't I don't know this for sure but just on conversations people in the because I think that most people think it's a waste of time most candidates think running up against ruling party incumbents in this cycle that's a waste of time focusing on adverts. >> Really? >> So, the thinking again I've not heard this from the candidates directly and in politics rumors are the name of the game. >> Yeah. >> But this is like maybe three three degrees of separation
7:38 that they just feel it's a waste of time. So, it's like first I'm not going we're not going to out run the incumbents in Lagos and Federal on money. Secondly, we all the candidates apart from Peter Obi have almost universal name recognition. >> Um >> So, there's really nowhere you there's no market where you mention Atiku and people will like who is that? >> Um >> So, Atiku's campaign is kind of organically figuring out that it's not by outspending on media. It's by how do we shape the or at least on paid media? How do we shape the end media narrative? That's the whole conversation about subsidy. How do we >> Mm. >> A market woman is not going to vote because she sees one more picture of Abubakar Atiku. >> Yeah. >> The market woman didn't vote the last time because she saw any picture of Peter Obi. >> Yeah. >> Like that's not the field where they
8:24 will win. The field is word of mouth. What will people be saying if somebody asks them about the candidates? >> Yeah. >> I don't think they are wrong. And I can easily say that because I'm not in I I don't have any billboards, so [laughter] my business doesn't suffer for that. I honestly don't think they are wrong. There's a complete media saturation, you know. So paid media now there's a reason why the ruling party is doing it. >> Yeah. >> The ruling party is doing it so that if the ruling party wins, you kind of see it as obvious. >> Mm. >> It's like there is a governorship candidate I'm not going to mention his name >> Yeah, we already do. >> here now we just call him now and say oh we are here, can you come? He will show up. [laughter] So what he's doing is that he's making you already imagine him as governor. >> Yeah, everyone keeps saying incoming governor, incoming and I'm like incoming
9:11 to where both? >> So when it happens, it's not going to sound strange because he's already keynote speaker at every event. [laughter] He's already panelists on every panel. He's doing everything from win bees. I'm sure he's going to be a one shot. [laughter] So when it happens, so the ruling party has a strategic necessity >> Mm. >> in continuing to do as if we are running we are we are fighting for votes because you want to have legitimacy. >> Yes. >> So that's why they're doing that. So I honestly that's why I'm one that's why that's why I'm so good AT MY JOB. [laughter] WE LOOK AT THINGS and say not what is everybody, what's the convention? What are the talking heads saying? What really is making the difference on the ground? And so of course if I was doing a campaign for a candidate, I'll put in billboards and all of those things because you'd look
9:57 incompetent if you didn't. >> Yeah. >> But I don't think there's any malpractice in this guy is not doing that. That's not where they'll win this campaign if they will win. >> You know how every week we sit down with people who've done it, people who've built, people who've led movements, people who've created culture. What if could do more than just listen to them? That is why we built Convo by Alpha-Paulitan. On Convo, you're able to book one-on-one video calls with in-demand experts from Africa and the diaspora. Go to convo.vip to get access to your next mentor because sometimes one convo can change your entire path. >> A lot of times you guys ask for introductions to investors. You want to see our investor deck. You want introductions to other people. So we have finally created the room on Patreon. [music] And in this room, it's a members-only exclusive place where we
10:44 show you the behind the scenes. You get to connect with other people. We share our playbooks. We do deep dives into specific industries. Everything for an entrepreneur. It is like your total toolkit in real time. >> I always like to say this is the room where the most ambitious people in the diaspora find each other, right? Like again, sometimes it feels lonely building. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one in your circle who might understand what you really want to achieve. In this room, you will not feel alone. So again, join us on Alpha-Paulitan Patreon, right? patreon.com/alphapaulitan podcast. You know, we've been talking about how quiet things seem to have been. And this is just trying to get your perspective perspective because I know you're not in politics and you're not you're not running for office yourself,
11:29 but I'm saying for an election that's coming up in almost like what, 3 months, it just feels quiet from your position, right? And you know, some of us on on the team we're talking about how that seems more like strategy than just people not doing anything. Like do you get that same feeling too where it's like things are just moving in the background and people are waiting till what do you call it? Is it D-Day or Normandy where you're like, okay, you'll see what we're going to do on this day, right? So what what do you think? >> I do feel that things are eerily quiet on a national level. Eerily quiet. >> Yeah, it is. >> But I was discussing one of my guys who is actually working on the campaign and we we we looked at it and we said and we said to each other that we say this every year, every cycle. >> Really? >> Yes. So, if this eerie quietness
12:16 continues until end of November, then I'll be worried. But what typically happens is that there is so much intense activity November to January >> Yeah. >> that we often think it started much earlier. >> Okay. Okay. >> you actually go and look at it, now it's a bit quieter than usual. >> Yeah, it is more quieter. Yeah. >> than usual, but it's usually quiet before the storm kicks up. And that's because people are especially the opposition candidates, they have less money. >> Yeah. >> And so they are kind of waiting >> They want to compress it. >> and go hard at the end. So so you are not wrong that it's a teeny wee bit quieter, >> Yeah. >> but I I I think that it's not unusual. But it's again part of it also. So what these guys are telling me in the campaigns and you you see if I say I'll
13:02 say what they are telling me because sometimes if I tell somebody who's in the campaign doesn't know that they know what they are doing in the campaign. These are campaigns run. >> [laughter] >> You have so You have so many people running around saying they are this, they are that, taking picture with this one's son, going to a summit, all of that. They don't know what's happening. [laughter] But the candidates and the political party have to keep them busy because they are better in house >> Than outside. You you can't be a nuisance outside. >> nuisance outside. Then you have to be calling people and Yeah. The real strategy is often decided by six people. [laughter] And those six people may not tell the other people >> Yeah. >> what's going on because there's no need. >> Yeah. >> So but this what these people who are two degrees separate are saying which may be true >> Yeah. >> that everybody essentially believes that
13:47 you can't outspend >> Yeah. >> the ink this particular incumbent. >> This one is a heavy one. Heavy war chest. >> so you [laughter] and you better wait until closer to the campaign, then you take all the firepower you have and you pour it in. >> Bazooka. >> Yes. But again you also have to remember that we are in Lagos. It's not the same in Jigawa. There are certain states, Hope Uzodinma states, parts of Port Harcourt where there is heavy artillery going on. Do you understand? And for normal reasons, the governors need to win their own election, they need to show their loyalty to the president. So so again, don't use Lagos and Abuja. Lagos is much quieter than usual for this reason. But in certain states, if you go to Kano, there is
14:32 activity. That's Kwankwaso's base. So in certain states, things are going as usual, but at the center, you are right, a bit quieter. Yeah. And that's the reason. >> So you know, I want to switch gear on another person, Dangote, cuz he's had a very interesting media run. I I'm curious, what are your thoughts on how you feel he's been rolling out talking about this IPO? You know, cuz I feel like for the first time he's present. Like we've always seen him, he's done interviews, but I I feel like this time it's been a bit more Yeah, yeah, it's more deliberate. [laughter] Yes. >> He's giving he's giving people like us a chance. >> Yeah, he's finally he's finally got out. HE'S FINALLY [laughter] GOT OUT. >> PEOPLE LIKE YOU LIKE LIKE YOUR WIFE. >> MONEY SPREADING WELL. >> That video cracked me UP SO MUCH. >> [laughter]
15:18 >> AND YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU KNOW when I I'm watching people in town, I'm just like, what are you really thinking you as you're saying this thing you are saying? [laughter] But anyway, yes. >> It's like I don't need the money, but I just want to give you help the people. >> YOUR LIFE. [laughter] UM SO WHAT do I think of you? I think that it was inevitable. Dangote, I've met him once before. I can never forget myself and I did but I met him in his offices. I could write a book about that entire hour. >> Really? >> Um >> An hour? You spent an hour with him? Okay. >> wasn't really an hour alone. People were coming in and out, you know, we are just thing we are stopping. And this was many years ago. And Dangote is a historic figure like the world has never seen because he's from Africa. So you want to think since Mansa Musa
16:03 Mansa whatever I like Mansa Musa. I like to see or whatever they call it. Everybody feels that they know Mansa Mansa Musa Mansa Musa story. [laughter] And you have to think about the last time >> Um >> a business leader was a cultural figure. >> Yeah. >> The last time an African business leader was a cultural figure that you would call his name in Sabo [laughter] in Unilag, in in Kano, Sabon Gari, walking on the road between two villages, I'd be like Dangote, I'd be like we know that guy. I'm not just we know that guy, we like that guy. >> Yeah. >> In the worst PR period for capitalism >> Yeah. True. >> in world history. So Dangote is a cultural figure, >> Yeah. >> not just a businessman,
16:49 and I think he's finally enjoying it. >> Legacy. >> I think it's fine. Yes, I think he's finally figured out what his legacy would be. And I think it happens when you Dangote is one of my business role models. It doesn't make sense. And it's not because I hate it now because when I talk about Dangote, people think it's because of IPO. I'm like I've been talking about Dangote [laughter] since whatever. I've been saying you people don't know what this man is doing because Dangote has gone through the worst few years of his life. >> Okay, explain. >> A few years ago, Dangote said in an interview, and I think people didn't take him seriously because he's so rich, that in the midst of setting up this refinery, this was about four, five years ago, he thought of committing suicide. >> It's crazy. >> Said it in an interview on stage actually in a public thing. Now he didn't say it in a dramatic way, you know the way we millennials say it, we sit down, we talk about it. He just
17:35 kind of said it and moved on.
