By Brown Chimezie
Dr Oragui Chukwudozie Philip, a Public affairs analyst and commentator in this interview, among other issues, spoke on the state of the nation vis-a-vis the 2023 election and submits that Nigeria needs the likes of Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP) to liberate the country from the shackles of bad governance.
Tell us about Mr Peter Obi’s chances of becoming Nigeria’s president in 2023
For me, I think the choice is rather obvious. We have several people vying for presidency of which three are on the frontline.
I also learnt that Rabiu Kwakwanso of NNPP is also making wave in Kano and the North central. Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also holding ground in Lagos and the South west. We shouldn’t also forget that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP is also a no push-over when it comes to political matters. Among this contestants however, Obi happened to be the most popular.
First of all, I am an Anambrarian and it is difficult for an Anambra person to rate their governor high in governance. I think the only governor that has earned passed mark from his people was Mr. Chris Ngige.
When Obi eventually emerged, after 8 years in office, Anambrarians were ready to follow him to anywhere because Obi excelled in every field that anybody can imagine. If it were possible for Obi to continue as governor till date, I bet you, people will endorse him. We were winning laurels in all fields, health, education just name it. Anambra was first among all the equals because he was willing to allow a level playing field for all.
Obi happened to be the only governor who handed over to his successor without even attempting to interfere. Go to other states like Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and even Lagos; the issue of godfatherism exists and often cause trouble between serving governor and his predecessor.
It was only in Anambra that Obi handed over power and walked away.
Look at what is happening in Lagos.
Someone left power since 2007 and still have great influence over the state’s political machinery. He even openly boasts about it.
What’s your take on Soludo’s recent comments on Obi?
I don’t really want to go into the Soludo thing. But just as I wrote on my social media handle that Soludo means peace and the governor should live up to his name by ensuring that peace reigns in his state.
I think it is important for him to take a look at his name and shun things that could distract him from delivering good governance to Anambra people.
He should remember that Anambra people gave him the mandate to rule the state and not to come to television and cast aspersions on one of their own.
Let him mind his state. I think it is too early to begin to criticise his government and it is also too early for him to also be condemning somebody that he did not take over from directly. I think he has to stablise his government. I wish him well.
I would like to use this opportunity to call his attention to the horrible condition of road in Umuoji area of the state. Sometime ago when I traveled to that area, gully erosion has cut off Ugwuofiaogwu between Nkpor-agu and Nkpor-uno; the road has been cut into two. His Excellency, the governor should use his international connection to attract World bank and other international agencies to address the problems of erosion in the state. Look at the problem of insecurity, ravaging Anambra and the South East; I think he should tackle them headlong and make his mark, then in 2033 or thereabouts, he can then indicate his interest to be president and we shall rate him based on his achievements.
Some people claim that Obi doesn’t have political structures that can enable him win the election, do you share that view?
The structure they are talking about is like having different people on your pay roll, or people that you have helped to attain strategic positions and that you believe will return the favour during elections. That has been what we have been experiencing in Nigeria since 1999 when this democracy was ushered in.
Obi would rather lose the election doing the right thing than winning the elections doing the same wrong thing that has been plaguing our beloved country, Nigeria.
Which structures are they talking about? If Nigerians should vote the right candidate, then Nigeria is the structure.
Are they saying that a credible person cannot win election unless he has some people somewhere who must press button for such person to win? That is corruption not structure.
Looking at Obi from his background as a person with experience from the private sector, do you see Nigerians benefiting from this, if he becomes the president?
Let me first of all appreciate Obi for being a meek person by modestly describing himself as a trader. Nonetheless, that does not portray him as illiterate. Obi is an Entrepreneur like Ellon Musk, James Bezzos and other great global investors. These are wealth creators. These are people that are running the world economy today because they created wealth. If I were to describe Obi, I will call him a wealth creator of international repute. We need humble leaders who are not arrogant and proud. If elected as President, he will rejig the economy by developing the agriculture sector. He will change Nigeria from being the world poverty capital to wealth creating nation.
We need the experience of people like Obi to put Nigeria back on the economic track. We need somebody like Obi who can hold the youths by the hand and lead them to the path of wealth creation like in agriculture.
Look at the vast arable lands in the North. Obi will mechanize agriculture and millions of youths roaming the streets will be gainfully employed.
Look at the manufacturing sector in the South East. All are now in comatose state. What we are now manufacturing are kidnappers, robbers and other vices. Look at the financial base that Lagos and the Southwest can be, look at entertainment and tourism that we can get from states like Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
All these sectors will be revamped under the leadership of Peter Obi.
Can you assess the three frontline presidential candidates vis-a-vis their chances at the poll?
I think Atiku shouldn’t be contesting because earlier in the year, he demonstrated that he is not straightforward. I used to like him. In fact, I voted for him in the last election. Somebody was killed, some people took laws into their own hands and have to kill a student up there in the North and Atiku immediately condemned the dastardly act but he quickly deleted the message on his social media page because of his political ambition.
After that incident, I know that this man cannot be trusted.
Again, he claimed to be a unifier, has he been able to unite PDP? Rather, he has even polarised the party the more through his support for Iyorcha Ayu and the likes. Looking at the empirical facts on ground, I dont think he merits my vote.
Then another frontline contestant is Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. He happened to be somebody I have so much respect for. Just having respect for someone is not enough because he should also have respect for age. I think this man is old enough to retire and become an elder statesman.
Obi is the right person to lead this nation. He is young enough. He is a great brand and has ideas; he is detribalised. He is not Igbo candidate nor Hausa candidate but a pan Nigeria candidate. He has lived his life within and outside Nigeria.
When he was governor, he never did anything tribalistic. He is not corrupt; I think Nigerians really know whom to vote for. I am happy that for the first time, youths are talking about qualitative leaders. They are also ready to vote. We are appealing to the elders to allow them make the right choice as it would be in the interest of our fatherland.