The Nigerian political arena in 2025 was a theatre of high-stakes drama, intense clashes, and surprising outcomes. While some players celebrated significant victories, others faced major setbacks and saw their influence wane. A comprehensive year-in-review analysis highlights the prominent figures who emerged as the biggest political losers of the year.
Peter Obi's Quiet Year and Electoral Setbacks
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, experienced a notably challenging and unproductive 2025. After gaining massive support, particularly among the youth, in the previous election cycle, Obi struggled to translate that momentum into electoral success this year.
He was unable to deliver victories for Labour Party candidates in various bye-elections across the country. A significant blow came during the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, where Obi failed to secure his own polling unit for the Labour Party. This result led many political observers to suggest that the former presidential candidate may have lost a considerable portion of the goodwill he enjoyed in 2023.
Governor Fubara's Tumultuous Battle in Rivers State
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, endured one of the most public and damaging political crises of the year. His ongoing feud with loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, escalated to a critical point.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened by declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in Fubara being suspended from his seat for half a year. In a move seen as bowing to pressure to secure presidential protection, Governor Fubara defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite this, he continues to battle for control with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly as he tries to regain his full executive power.
El-Rufai's Diminishing Influence and Failed Gambits
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, also finds himself on the list of major political losers for 2025. El-Rufai, who has not hidden his desire to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election, actively worked to build a coalition to weaken the ruling APC.
His efforts, however, largely backfired. Instead of weakening, the APC grew stronger through defections of several governors and senators. Furthermore, El-Rufai lost his political stronghold in Kaduna State to the current governor, Uba Sani, who is now considered the state's political godfather. Adding to his woes, El-Rufai failed to deliver a victory for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate he campaigned for in a critical bye-election.
The former minister also stirred controversy with his criticism of a biography of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, titled 'From Soldier to Statesman'. In a statement, he questioned the loyalty of attendees at the book launch held at the Presidential Villa.
Moghalu's Distant Third in Anambra Guber Race
Labour Party's governorship candidate in Anambra State, George Moghalu, rounds out the list of significant losers. Despite receiving the support of Peter Obi, Moghalu failed to make a meaningful impact in the election.
He suffered a resounding defeat, losing both his polling unit and his Nnewi North Local Government Area to incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). At his Uruagu Ward 1 polling unit, Moghalu secured only 22 votes against Soludo's 57. Across Nnewi North LGA, the results were even more dismal, with Soludo polling 20,320 votes to Moghalu's distant third-place tally of 1,140 votes.
The political landscape of 2025 has clearly reshaped the fortunes of several key figures, setting the stage for new alliances and strategies as the nation looks toward the 2027 general elections.
