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Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state and Atiku’s running mate in 2019 general elections is a strong contender to watch as the country heads to 2023 general elections. Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of labour party( LP). Although, his party is relatively unknown and lack structure or national spread, his candidature has won the heart of many Nigerian youths. The rallies organized by youths in major cities across the country is a testimony that majority of youths are supporting his political project. Peter Obi has a youthful age if one compares him with other presidential candidates such as: Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of PDP and APC respectively. During his stint as governor of Anambra state, Obi recorded remarkable achievement in the area of infrastructural developments. If past performances can be used as a prerequisite for electing good leaders, Peter Obi would comfortable win the election with relative ease. Besides, I am strong supporter for Igbo presidency. The reasons is not far-fetched. Since the return of democracy in the last two decades, Igbos have never produced the country’s number one. While politics in Nigeria is all about concessions and building of alliance, one doubts if the south-east has ever tried to reach other regions for their political survival.
Will Peter Obi break this age long barrier and become the president of Nigeria? Peter Obi’s presidency is gaining momentum due to the decision of ruling party to field or fair same faith ticket. The decision has since pitched the party with the Christian community. The labour party can also harvest from the festering crises enmeshed the opposition PDP. The fallout between Atiku and Wike after the PDP’s convention has become torn in flesh of the party. With the party’s crises far from over, labour may try to woe other aggrieved governors to its fold. With religion and ethnic politics poises to shape the forthcoming elections, Peter Obi can win South-east states. The labour party can also win some north central states such as Benue, plateau and southern Kaduna. Although, his running mate Datti Baba Ahmed, hails from North-west, he can not influence or command northern votes as expected. Nobody can dispute the facts, Datti Baba Ahmed, is an intellectual of great repute in the north. His passion for the development of education led him to establish private university.
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However, Atiku Abubakar can win some states in North East such as: Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states. Taraba votes will be split. In the North-West, the battle will be fought between APC PDP and NNPP. Many Nigerians predicted Kwankwaso and Peter Obi alliance. Had alliance became fruitful, it would have nailed the coffin of both APC and PDP in 2023. Alas, the country missed the golden or great opportunity. In spite of these foreseeable hitches Peter Obi may face, he can pull a surprise. He needs to vigourously campaign and involve youths in the region who constituted the bulk of his supporters.
Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua
