Politics

Obi, Kwankwaso May Force 2023 Election Into Rerun – US Institutes Predict

Published

2 years ago

Jul 23, 2022.

Yinka Akanbi

According to the institutes, with Obi and Kwankwaso on the ballot, the 2023 elections would mark a clear departure from some of the political dynamics that usually define elections in Nigeria
The report described Obi and Kwankwaso as a viable “third forces” and that their entrance into the presidential contest has triggered the excitement of many Nigerian youths

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a delegation of United States-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) has projected that the emergence of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso may force the 2023 election into a rerun.

The third forces: Obi will be flying the Labour Party banner, while Kwankwaso is the flag-bearer of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 presidential election.

The two third force candidates have continued to garner massive followership; with Kwankwaso attracting more supporters in Kano and other neighbouring states in the North West, while a large portion of the young population continue to push Obi’s case, particularly on social media.

The projection: The delegation made this projection while presenting its first joint pre-elections assessment statement to journalists in Abuja on Friday, 22, 2022.

Led by Secretary of State for Ohio, Frank LaRose, the NDI/IRI delegation visited Nigeria from July 13-22 to measure the country’s preparedness ahead of the upcoming 2023 elections.

According to the institutes, with Obi and Kwankwaso on the ballot, the 2023 elections would mark a clear departure from some of the political dynamics that usually define elections in Nigeria.

The report described Obi and Kwankwaso as a viable “third forces” and that their entrance into the presidential contest has triggered the excitement of many Nigerian youths.

It said that “if a third party draws sufficient support, a runoff presidential election could be a real possibility for the first time since the transition to democracy, adding complexity to the 2023 elections.”

Electoral Act factor: The organisation maintained that the 2023 elections present a significant opportunity to consolidate Nigeria’s democracy, especially since the 2022 Electoral Act enjoys a wide stakeholder support and has elevated public confidence in the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver elections next year.

The statement read in part, “The 2023 elections are a departure from some of the political dynamics that defined previous polls. For the first time since 2007, the presidential election will be an open contest with no incumbent. The ruling All Progressives Congress selected former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, as its flag-bearer. Former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will contest on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“However, the emergence of Peter Obi — former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate for the Labour Party — and Rabiu Kwankwaso — former Kano governor and presidential candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party — as viable “Third Forces” has excited many young Nigerians.

FURTHER READING

“If a third party draws sufficient support, a runoff presidential election could be a real possibility for the first time since the transition to democracy, adding complexity to the 2023 elections.”

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