Peter Obi: A Cynosure of 2023 Presidential Election
By Lucky Omonua.
As the presidential election of Nigeria draws closer, observers and participants both in the country and the diaspora has been watching with keen interest and rendering their voices where it is needed to be heard. The media on the other hand has been agog with the emergence of various party flag bearers and their running mates. With these, the stage is all set for the battle of the century, the 2023 February 25th general elections.
Among the 18 political parties participating at the presidential election, three has gained an unequivocal prominence. Due to the long battle between the most prominent ones, which are the All Progressives Congress (APC) the ruling party, and its longtime rival the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). These parties hold sway where politics and politicking is mentioned in Nigeria.
In the midst of these two titans of Nigerian politics, like the breaking of the day into a new dawn, comes a political party that has been there but not very prominent when it comes to being part of the ruling class in Nigeria’s politics, the Labour Party (LP) rose up like a baby Giant who’s been ruled and controlled for too long by dwarfs and Lilliputians as it were in “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift, and decided to speak out. Alas! That voice was heard by and large, by the already and awaiting teeming youths of the country both within and outside the country, who’s been hurt one way or the other during the #endsars movement that is still very much believed has brought and bonded the active teeming youths that believes in the acronym “Never say Never” together. They found a platform, a party and a candidate that speaks the same kind of language they want to hear, not leaving out the older persons who are tired of the same crop of politicians who they feel have turned the nation’s commonwealth into their private entities.
Peter Obi became the man, like a market that could be accessed by all and that made sure the gate of the market is open wide for all to come buy and sell, as long as you have what it takes to transact.
Many see the emergence of Peter Obi and Datti Baba Ahmed as the perfect combination that can match other party’s candidates head to head. All the social space, from Twitter to Facebook, to Instagram to TikTok, you name it, are all awash with one form of support video or post in favour of Peter Obi/Datti Baba Ahmed.
The race to Aso Rock Villa has started, will it be Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shetima of APC, or Atiku Abubakar/Okowa of PDP, or the men of the moment, Peter Obi/Datti that will eventually emerge as the next President and Vice President of the federal republic of Nigeria come 29th May 2023?
As we await the campaign proper and the eventual elections, let us remember that we’re one Nigeria working for the common goal of our country. Killing or maiming each other should not be part of the game. Remember, whether you die or live, the country will not stop to exist and the next president will surely emerge. Let love prevail.