THE THIRD FORCE - by Tari Ogbowei

Since 1999, elections have always been a 2 horse race between, the PDP and AC until the merger that brought APC in 2015. The entrance of Mr. Peter Obi brings in the much needed difference in the political and electoral structure. It's obvious it's not business as usual. The PDP intended to use religion as its ticket to victory while the APC banked on employing regional sentiments. Enter Peter Obi and the Labour Party who brings in the competence argument. This issue of competence and a track record of service and excellence is what makes Peter Obi so alluring. Since his emergence in the presidential race, he has become increasingly popular, especially among the youth. There's so much that reveals that both the camps of Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC are worried about Peter Obi's popularity this is mainly because of the support he's getting from the youth. Both the APC and PDP are doing everything they can to woo the youths and carry out youth based campaign but it seems majority of rhe youths have pitched tent with the Obi camp. A recent statistics revealed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that about 71% percent of the 12.2 million newly registered voters are youths. According to the statistics released by the electoral umpire, about 8.7 million are between the ages of 18 and 34 while about 2.4 million are between the ages 35 and 49. Those between ages 50 and 69 are about 856, 017 while about 127, 541 are over 70. Nigerian youth have never been this interested in any elections for a long time now but the body language and follow up actions tell a new tale. They want to change the status quo. They have taken it as a war between their generation and the older generation. Chimaroke Nnamani, an Igbo man, a former governor of Enugu state who is a PDP member has thrown his weight behind Tinubu. This shows that it is not about regional sentiments or party loyalty but about a particular generation holding onto power with all they've got. A lot of Nigerians are tired and I have met younger people who are members of other political parties throwing their weight behind Peter Obi, either overtly or covertly. Governors and bigwigs who are also fed up with the status quo are beginning to support Mr. Obi. One of his biggest endorsements is that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. All of this is because of his performance while he was governor of Anambra state. The emergence of Peter Obi in 2023's presidential election is a glimmer of hope to Nigerians. It creates a THIRD FORCE that is much needed but has seemed almost impossible. Nigerians can now make a choice outside of their known oppressors.

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