Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state and Atiku’s running mate in 2019 general elections, is a strong contender to watch as Nigeria heads towards the 2023 general elections. Obi is the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP). Although, his party lacks structure or national spread, his candidature has won the hearts of many Nigerian youths. The ralies by youths in major cities across the country indicate that majority of youths support his political project.
Peter Obi is youthful as against other presidential candidates like PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During his stint as governor of Anambra state, Obi recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructural developments. If past performances are used yardsticks for electing good leaders, Obi will win the election with relative ease.
Besides, I am a strong supporter of igbo presidency. The reason is since the return of democracy in the last two decades, Igbo have never produced the country’s president. Nigerian politics is about concessions and building of alliance, but one doubts if the South-east has ever reached out to other regions for political survival.
Will Obi break this barrier to become the president of Nigeria? Obi’s presidency is gaining momentum due to APC’s same faith ticket. This has pitched the party against the Christian community. LP can also harvest from the PDP crises. With religion and ethnic politics likely to shape the forthcoming elections, Obi can win South-east. LP can also win some North-central states like Benue, Plateau and southern Kaduna.
Although,his running mate Datti Baba Ahmed hails from North-west, he cannot influence northern votes. Truly, Datti Baba Ahmed is an intellectual of great repute. His passion for the development of education led him to establish a private university.
However, Atiku can win some states in North-east like Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe. Taraba votes will be split. In the North-west, the battle will be between APC, PDP and NNPP. Many predicted Kwankwaso and Obi alliance. Were alliance fruitful, it would have nailed APC and PDP in 2019. Unfortunately, Nigeria missed the golden opportunity.
Notwithstanding, Obi may pull a surprise. He needs to vigorously campaign and involve northern youths who constitute the bulk of his supporters.
Ibrahim Mustapha,
Pambegua, Kaduna state
08169056963.
