Peter Obi for 2023 presidential election For much of Nigeria’s political spectrum, many people are excited by the idea that Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state is pulling weight across the country.
His emergence has enlivened the hope of many Nigerians who hitherto had given up on the possibility of redeeming the tattered image of the once pride of Africa.
Against all odds, Peter Obi is very likely to spring a surprise and eventually clinch the presidency at the 2023 general elections.
His entrance into the race elicited hope among Nigerians.
Even when he declared interest in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) prior to his defection to Labour Party, Nigerians hailed him, arguing that he was the only aspirant then fit to fly the party’s flag for the elections. Reading through all the comments on all social media pages, Obi was seen as the only man endorsed by majority of Nigerians to clean the mess created by the old PDP and APC.
As at present, Peter Obi’s name is the talk across the nation and resonates across all social and political divides. People from all walks of life, the Igbos, the Hausas, the Fulanis, the Yorubas and other ethnic groups across the country are looking up to Obi for the salvation of Nigeria. Many people have seen him as the new hope and face of a new Nigeria. Youths, men and women across tribes and religions are financing campaigns for Obi. Unlike other candidates who pay to get endorsement from Nigerians, Obi is getting endorsement without spending money.
Campaigns are being organized for him in all states, even in heavily populated Muslim states of Nasarawa, Plateau, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna and others. His wide acceptance is sending shivers into the spine of the other candidates who are seeing him as threat to their ambitions. On daily basis, his acceptance is growing and more people are joining the Obidient family. His presence in the Labour Party that was hitherto not known has brought the party to limelight and strengthened the party in all states of the federation.
In all rallies, one can see an unprecedented crowd trooping into the fold of the party. These people are fed up with the old order and now seeking a new narrative. Muslim youths and women are singing the songs of Peter Obi in the Northern states. New jingles of Peter Obi in Hausa language are springing up, driving the message of Obi into the rural Hausa/Fulani people. He is holding meetings with persons of importance and cementing grounds for a total acceptance.
One thing paving way for him is his understanding of the economic dynamics of Nigeria. He is heavily abreast with the challenges in the nation. He also has great programmes and economic blue-print to take Nigeria out of its present woes. Listening to him, one cannot but determine to remain with him and push his agenda to fruition. Anywhere he goes, he receives wide ovation from all Nigerians. He is simple, down to earth and identifies with the yearnings of the poor and average Nigerian. He perfectly fits into the desire of Nigerians, hence the applause he receives wherever he goes.
As long as Obi maintains the tempo and moves he has made recently until February 2023, he is definitely going to spring surprises at the election. This is because he is controlling the narrative and the influence he is wielding is unbeatable. Many people have said his followers are only on social media, these humans are wrong. People on social media are not robots. They are humans. They are not operating from Mars, Jupiter, Pluto or Uranus. They are people living and doing business in the world.
But for him to win and win convincingly, there are some things that need to happen. He needs more supporters, he needs to win minds of power brokers and the people who control minds of their subjects. He needs to win the support of religious leaders, opinion leaders, leaders of unions and associations, groups across the nation. He also needs more funds which should come from outside sources; an issue that voters care about needs to come up like it did during Nigeria’s 2015 presidential campaign when Boko Haram was used as case by Muhammadu Buhari to defeat Jonathan.
Many leaders have claimed to have achieved a lot, but clear metrics suggest they have failed. Obi’s economic analysis and his comparative socio-economic indices have put him miles away from other contestants who do not seem to understand the socio-economic dynamics of the country. His well abreast of the issues and his solutions are quite measurable. His winning is very clear to Nigeria. Other parties, the APC and PDP leaders have disappointed Nigerians. Many have lost hope and belief in the nation due to the continuous failed promises of the two supposed big parties. Now, Nigerians have seen the Labour Party and its candidate as the new alternative.
The party has a winning narrative. The visions and mission blend with the yearnings of all Nigerians, the poor, the rich, the economic disadvantaged, the professionals, the farmers and the artisans. This is his selling point, and it is a wild fire. His programme strategically addresses an issue that is high on the list of voter concerns, such as employment and job creation or one that resonates well with Labour’s messaging which is quality education and job for all.
However, Peter Obi needs to articulate how the small holder farmers can benefit from being more involved in the economy via entrepreneurship opportunities as well as policies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and reducing food insecurity in Nigeria’s hinterland communities. Most Nigerian communities are rural, therefore the Labour Party and its candidate need to bring to bare how this class of people will beneffit from his government, having dislodged the ancient people in Aso Rock.
However, we must not push aside the fact that the Labour Party and its candidate have a lot of work to do if they are to be successful in the 2023 presidential election. The party needs to establish a narrative that makes sense to voters, but that resonates with their platform as well.
The fact that Obi is building his plan around 100 million hungry Nigerians and 35 million unemployed persons including unpaid pensioners is enough reason to win the election without stress. Obi’s vision is people oriented. Other political parties, the APC and PDP are campaigning to remain in power and seize power but their blue-prints have never impacted lives of poor Nigerians.
Being a former governor of Anambra state, he is at home with regards to understanding politics as well as balancing regional and tribal interests. He has served on various national and state boards dealing with education, health and governance making him capable of running a country like Nigeria with tribe and religion as its major divide. Another advantage that might make it possible for him to win is his diplomatic nature and method of engagement in politics.
This implies that he is always at ease when speaking with stakeholders, who are otherwise his opponents. He has the ability to bring his audience to his side and change his mindset with his touching narratives. He has ability to win economic debates and bring the opponent hand down. As a result, many believe he could unify political elites and factions within Nigeria to work together, especially if they acknowledge that he can produce a better life for them.
Another factor that might contribute to his victory is his creativity and tenacity in overcoming difficult times. This might be a result of what he did during his days as governor of Anambra state. He managed to work with a PDP-governed central government to ensure he achieved most of his development goals for Anambra state and in view of his previous track record, such an accomplishment is possible again if elected as president.
It is important to remember that anything can happen in politics. However, if the current trend continues, it is very possible that Peter Obi could win the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. A key factor would be voter turnout, which has been steadily decreasing over the years. But with the entrance of Obi and the increase in PVC registration, there is likely going to be high voter turnout.
With 80 percent youths on his side who were previously used to win votes by the opposition parties, Obi definitely will have the day. But if otherwise, it means Nigerian youths are visionless. However, with the endSARS protest and the decision if it is anything to go by, Obi will be the man to beat.
