Strictly An Opinion: Peter Gregory Obi As A Political Albatross And A Game Changer.  - TrendyNewsReporters Strictly An Opinion: Peter Gregory Obi As A Political Albatross And A Game Changer.  - TrendyNewsReporters
POLITICS

Strictly An Opinion: Peter Gregory Obi As A Political Albatross And A Game Changer. 

By Ebor Cletus Ralph Jr.

 

The average Nigerian politician would curse the day that threw up Peter Gregory Obi as a major contestant in 2023 general elections, as well as the Labour Party as a platform. 

 

In the hail days of politics of the 1st and 2nd republic, never had political contest been as competitive and as interesting as we have it today. Peter Obi has changed the narrative. They waved him off, just as they did his revolutionary movement, ‘The Obidients’, as just four people in a room tweeting. 

 

Two weeks after the presidential election, they now know better. Though a winner had emerged, the question remains, through what process? Was the right thing done? How enduring would that victory be? Since this matter is already subjected to adjudication, this article would rather not dwell on providing answers to the questions raised above. 

 

However, the fear of Peter Obi and the Labour Party, has become the beginning of wisdom to the hitherto arrogant Nigerian politicians of the APC and PDP stock. Before their very eyes, the Labour Party won seats into the Nigerian parliament, in areas where no one ever thought they could. 

 

Many more state assembly seats and gubernatorial positions, would fall from the stable of the so-called deepy structured political parties by the next rounds of votes. While everyone patiently awaits that, going forward, they now know better that, it’s never going to be business as usual, as many are already nursing their badly bruised noses and egos. 

 

In Edo State for instance, Gov. Godwin Obaseki is in a shock as to what hit him. He lost all the Senatorial Seats where his party had hitherto controlled two. The house of Representatives performances is as terrible as the Senate. 

 

The panic occasioned by these poor showings, has set him on a mission of demage control. How effective or productive has this been? Terrible is an under statement. Suddenly, projects that ordinarily would never had gotten his attention, are now being hurriedly initiated to woe voters. Only four days back, he took his appeals to the people of Uwelu Quarters, particularly, the auto spare parts dealers. What a stone wall he met! 

 

The traders did not even give him the chance to alert from his official SUV, let alone listen to what he needed to tell them. After a long wait and there was no yielding grounds on the part of the Igbo traders, he drove off. But, at least, there was a message he wouldn’t forget in a long time and that is, the chanting of ‘Obi’ ‘Obi’ ‘Obi’ while he waited in vain. It would also have dawned on him that, the Obidients have refused to wear out contrary to his prediction. 

 

The Edo situation seems more tolerable compared to what Obtains in Lagos. The victory of the Labour Party in Lagos during the presidential election, has seriously unsettled the foundation of government institutions there. The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been everywhere, literarily begging Lagosians and particular, the Igbos to give him a second term. 

 

To compound his problem, the emergence of a young ‘Obidient’ in the shape and mode of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, as the flag bearer of the Labour Party, makes his case very pathetic. With the recent barbaric attacks on Igbos and their means of livelihood by thugs, who are apparently working on the orders of some powerful political elements in Lagos, the victory of Labour Party and Gbadebo looks assured. The Igbos and other non Yoruba residents would make it a tea party for the young Gbadebo. 

 

The Igbos are a resilient race. Intimidation does not resonate with them. They have a way of riding adversities. Destroying their markets and shops would make them come back even bigger. They would sure vote on Saturday. Take that to the bank. They would vote for someone who is prepared to ensure their personal safeties and those of their hard earned investments. They already know that, Labour Party, is the vehicle that would convey that assurance. 

 

Peter Obi, win or loose the 2023 presidential election, with him, the Nigerian political space cannot remain the same again. He has changed the narrative. He has become an albatross to the regular Nigerian politician. He has become a symbol of politics of issues rather than, the hitherto politics of carnival and mudslinging. 

 

From now on, we know that, it should be about politics of score cards and not frivolity. There must be something to verify. Money may not count again in electioneering. All acts of impunity would be promptly interrogated, irrespective of where they are initiated. This is why I am asserting that, Peter Obi is the game changer. May God protect and reward his positive work. 

 

prelliotaglobalconcept

TV Presenter/ Content Writer

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