Are We Set To Experience A Paradigm Shift? A Closer Look At Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Bid

By Bernard Joseph

One name that is profound in conversations around the coming election is Peter Obi. Obi, a man whose name has become synonymous with success and prudent spending, has captured the hearts and minds of young Nigerians across the country. There is no denying the incredible achievements of this former governor of Anambra State.

And a lot of debates have trailed the claim that he was frugal enough to leave a significant sum of N75 billion in the state’s treasury upon the conclusion of his tenure. This controversy is predominant, particularly in the ongoing feud between him and his successor, Obiano. In 2015, after the duo had fallen apart, Obiano dismissed Obi’s claims as “half-truths,” pointing out that his predecessor left the state with a huge debt burden of N106.2 billion when his tenure expired on March 17, 2014. He wondered how Obi could have given Anambra people a rosy picture of the assets he left behind without showing them the liabilities he incurred.

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Peter Obi’s leadership method, which emphasized transparency and approachability, had a favorable influence on the education, healthcare, and commerce domains. This technique has earned him the admiration of numerous young Nigerians, who regard him as a new and innovative alternative to the more senior crop of politicians seeking the presidency. His achievements have struck a chord with these youths and generated an affinity towards him, as they regard him as a leader who is “Young at heart.”

Obi’s bid for the presidency received a significant lift at the beginning of this year when ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo rejected the numerous politicians who approached him for his endorsement. Since 2007 when he left office, Obasanjo has supported all the presidential candidates who went on to win, with the exception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid, which was unsuccessful in 2019.

Peter Obi, a highly educated man with a degree from Harvard University, threw his hat in the ring for the presidency and quickly rose to prominence under the banner of the Labour Party. With his rapid surge in popularity, it could be argued that Obi has created a new political force, upending the traditional two-party system that Nigerian presidential elections have historically adhered to. With Obi’s emergence as a viable presidential contender, the political landscape in Nigeria has undergone a seismic shift as voters look beyond the traditional options and explore new alternatives. His campaign has galvanized a new generation of Nigerians who are eager to break free from the shackles of the past and embrace a brighter, more promising future.

Of the trio, Obi, 61, is the youngest and most popular among the youth. Tinubu is 70, while Atiku is 75 years old. His supporters, nicknamed ‘Obidients’ are pushing for a new era; they have become a formidable political movement. The Obidients political movement has rapidly emerged as a predominant force, harnessing the power of social media to aggressively promote and defend their favored candidate, Peter Obi, while launching scathing attacks against his opponents. The group has amassed a vast following, with their message resonating strongly with young Nigerians who are eager to see a fresh face at the helm.

However, as the election draws near, the pressing question on everyone’s mind is whether Obi can pull off a victory against the more established candidates. Although the Labour Party hasn’t had a governor in Nigeria since Olusegun Mimiko’s tenure as governor of Ondo State, it’s worth noting that Mimiko eventually left the party after winning a second term in 2012.

Obi’s entry into the political arena breathed new life into the Labour Party, catapulting it into the national spotlight. However, the party’s influence is not equally felt across all 36 states in Nigeria. Recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states have been dismal for the party, with LP’s candidates faring poorly. In Ogun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that LP failed to submit names for all the available positions in the elections.

According to analysts, despite Obi’s popularity among many Nigerians, his chances of winning the polls are slim because he lacks a strong grassroots base, and his political party’s reach is limited. His opponents have consistently claimed that he does not have the necessary infrastructure to secure victory, but Obi has refuted this narrative.

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• Having Trouble Locating Your Polling Unit? Here’s How To Easily Locate It

Obi, who was born in Onitsha, Anambra, was nicknamed “Okwute,” meaning rock. The question remains whether he can withstand the demanding nature of Nigerian politics at the highest level. The outcome of the polls on February 25 will determine the answer.

Bernard Joseph writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.

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