As the 28th of September, 2022, the official date for the start of campaign for the 2023 elections draw nearer, activities have been flying here and there. Candidates are being invited by bodies as well as TV stations all over to discuss their plans for the nation.
There are many candidates vying for the most coveted seat in the land but of the lot, three have set themselves apart from the rest. Of the top three, Mr. Peter Obi still seems to be ahead.
One may not necessarily want to speak about Peter Obi all the time but he makes it difficult not to. In a positive way, though. He carries this energy and vigour about him which he infuses into the Nigerian political space. It is one that the usually bland and boring political scene lacks and needs as a matter of urgency.
His emergence into the scene entrenches the idea of a maturing democracy, moving the populace away from two unpopular choices. It is no longer a two-horse race where Nigerians are clairvoyant, knowing the end from the beginning. Where the power of incumbency is a major factor and takes front row, ensuring the incumbent party will win the election 99% of the time.
Since his emergence as the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, he has garnered unbridled popularity and support. This is majorly stemming from the fact that a lot of Nigerians are fed up with the status quo and tired with the institution that the candidates of both the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar represent.
Asides these two (2) candidates of the APC and PDP, there are other candidates but why does Peter Obi stand out. Maybe, it's because he is the most experienced, having served as two term governor of Anambra state. Maybe, its because of his antecedents of frugal management skills, reducing operating cost of governance, ability to save lean resources, create infrastructure and deliver the dividends of democracy to his people.
Maybe, it's because he is Christian and Igbo and many people feel it is the turn of a Southern Christian; being that in the South, it is only the Igbos who haven't been given an opportunity at the presidency. It just could be because, of the top three (3) candidates, he is the only one who hasn't had a corruption charge levelled against him. It could be that he is running with a nationalist interest where saving Nigeria comes first.
Campaigns haven't officially started but the man is giving off a lot of positive energy. He could be in Sokoto, move over to Imo and then Lagos in one day. Whenever he appears on any platform, he's reeling out figures and statistics of areas that need urgent attention and intervention and asking Nigerians to give him the opportunity to serve and turn things around. He is the only candidate talking about these nether areas, intimating Nigerians of the consequences if left unchecked and assuring Nigerians of his commitment to tackling them.
In comaprison BAT's campaign strategy is telling Nigerians that he would continue and consolidate on Buhari's achievements, one wonders on which of Buhari's achievements. The achievements that represent everything that is wrong with Nigeria as a nation?
Atiku Abubukar, a serial contestant since 1993 for the office of the President has been silent and largely gone unnoticed save the fact that he's contesting under the main opposition party, the PDP. One begins to wonder if both Mr. Abubakar and the PDP are really serious about 2023 or have a blueprint which they're just waiting for the official campaign date to start executing.
While the other candidates are struggling to find their feet, Mr. Obi's popularity has gone viral. In a country where politicians spend so much on campaigns, it is unprecedented that Nigerians are actually using their own funds to campaign for a politician, holding mega rallies and solidarity marches, shutting down streets in support of a candidate.
While the question, "Is Peter Obi right for Nigeria" can only be answered if he wins the election, the attitude of Nigerians towards Mr. Peter Obi and the elections is actually right and would go a long way in strengthening our nascent democracy.
IS PETER OBI RIGHT FOR NIGERIA
By
Tari Ogbowei