By the time the history of 2023 general elections is written, historians will record it that Mr. Peter Obi’s entry into the Presidential race on the platform of Labour Party was like a knight on a white horse. The excitement it has generated among Nigerians, especially the youths is unprecedented. And for those caught unawares by his emergence, it Obi’s emergence is like a fox entering into the chicken coop. Panic has encircled his opponents’ camp. Moreover, history will record it for Obi, that indeed, there is so much one man with integrity and strength of character and competence can do to change the course of his people who desire a new pathway to politics and governance.
It will also be written to his credit that though no leader can be great who does not know how to use power, all the same, someone can truly lead without first acquiring power. That’s why you see all the rallies across the country, all for him, gratis. That’s why Peter Obi, a two-term governor of Anambra state, has become a conversation of some sorts across Nigeria and abroad, a guiding light that democracy truly revolves around people, and the people in turn, gravitate to a leader who understands them and feels their pains. I am inclined to believe that, deep down his soul, Obi is acutely aware that it’s not all about him, but that the people are attracted to a politician as a rallying point, who will talk and do, not platitudes but ready with solutions to present-hour realities, someone who can give hope in a season of hopelessness, optimism amid pessimism. Anybody who is still in doubt why recent opinion polls ahead of the 2023 Presidential election have favoured Obi, it’s because the man is the real deal. Note this: polls or surveys provide a vital tool for understanding the choices before registered voters. Even though they are fuzzy estimates that may not be precise because they are samples, polls do tell us a lot going forward. Above all, without opinion polls, says Scott Keeler, director of research at the Pew Research Centre, USA, we might just have “public officials claiming whatever they want”. With about 145 days left until the presidential election scheduled for February 25, 2023, according to the surveys conducted by reputable organisations, if the election is held today, Peter Obi will emerge as Nigeria’s President-elect.
That’s why some of his opponents are running high blood pressure, and resorting to throwing all manner of below-the -belt jabs to malign the truth. But their lies are not sticking. These are the verdicts of some of the opinion polls. NOI, a survey commissioned by Atedo Peterside’s ANAP Foundation puts Obi on 21 percent, and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Bola Tinubu of APC tied on 13 percent, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP at 3 percent. Daily Trust survey gave Obi 64 percent, Tinubu 16 percent, and Atiku, 14 percent. The latest poll by Bloomberg News, a U.S. news outlet by Premise Data Corp; puts Obi on a massive 72 percent, ahead of other candidates. Of those still undecided, 45 percent said Obi is their preferred candidate.
What does all of this tell you? Nigeria is most likely to experience a sea change in the outcome of next year’s election. I foresee a visionary of breathtaking scope. Keep that in mind. But, Obi-Datti campaign and its supporters need not rest on their oars, because the demonical forces that have held Nigeria down for so long are not sleeping. Your PVC is the key to unlock a better future for Nigeria, led by Obi. His enemies are legion. They are devicing every conceivable means to thwart the people’s verdict. But time seems to be running out on them. You know why? Every election campaign has this cadence and rhythm, style and sparkle that sets it apart. Since Obi emerged on the scene, almost the whole country has become aglitter. His presence is like sunshine after the storm. It’s always darkest before dawn. The ideas, the message, the energy he has generated across the country and abroad, are certainly things we have not heard or seen in many years of our pork barrel politics. Suddenly, tagline like “Obidients” has become the vogue. It’s a phrase to interpret the mood of the country, a search for an alternative political platform and leadership since the old order has failed Nigerians. The new alternative has a sense of urgency, with Obi as the rescuer of the sinking Titanic, called Nigeria. But it won’t be a quick-fix because Nigeria is already maimed and broken.
The reason why all the opinion polls are in his favour is essentially because the man is uniquely different. Providence may have a hand in it, who knows? This is part of the reason. One of the real leadership lessons of late Apple CEO, Steve Jobs is contained in Apple’s two-word tagline: “Think Different”. Again, you may ask, What did Steve Jobs mean by that? It means mindfulness. Mindfulness means paying attention to your present moment experience. What do the people need, and what offerings have you to satisfy those needs? It also means, drop all your old theories and perceived ideas that have not worked, and pay due attention to the raw reality coming through your five senses and your mind. It also connotes doing away with the meaninglessness of that selfish entitlement mentality that “it’s my turn” politics.
Obi’s aspiration has become a movement whose time has come. It’s too late for anybody to stop it. The truth is that no one wants to follow a Franken-leader anymore, the kind that has brought tears and sorrow to millions of Nigerians but has enriched just few at the detriment of the majority. That’s what Obi is fighting on our behalf. The difference between him and the rest reveals the quality of his uncompromising character to unwholesome behaviour, of “politics as usual”. These are virtues in short supply among our present politicians. That’s why he said recently, “I rather lose doing the right thing than win doing the wrong thing”. He has said many times that he’s seeking the office of the presidency not for self, but to use that great power to achieve great purposes. “I can’t sleep because I know what to do… I know the problems of Nigeria and I know I can fix them”. But he needs our help. “Hunger”, he says “takes people to the streets, but jobs and food will obviously take them out of the streets and crimes”. He reminds everyone about his specialty, that of creating jobs and wealth. His years as governor and entrepreneur have shown clearly that there’s no margin for errors in his ability to do that. “I have not come out for myself. I have come out for the millions of youths who are losing hope in our beloved country. I have come out for the millions of women who are afraid of tomorrow and what it holds for them and their children”. He also says his quest for the presidency is to liberate the poor who are asking whether it’s a sin to be a Nigerian. These are words of a man with convictions. Nigeria is lacking men who think beyond self.
For those who are afraid of the opinion polls so far released, they need a lot of catch up to do: One thing is certain: Obi has brought new hope and optimism, a warm hand to our polluted politics. He is redefining the work of leadership in our nation. From now, political leaders will no longer see themselves as so-called grand visionaries, all-wise decision makers, and ironfisted men who see the office of the presidency as their birthright. For this category of politicians, power means being able to bend people to their will and steal from the common till. With such men, when they get power, there’s nothing there else to do but the desire for more power, not to solve problems. They have no agenda but to dominate the rest of us. But, Obi insists he is creating an environment where every Nigerian has the chance to collaborate and excel. He argues that he is seeking power to accomplish goals in all sectors of our economy that are in ruins now.
As I stated in this column in June, one key element of what Obi has brought to our consciousness is his realism, his ability to look facts – even very unpleasant facts – in the face and not let himself be deluded by wishful thinking. This is a political version of a businessman’s interest in balance sheet, where the right thing should be done. And that starts with good leadership. Peter Obi’s journey has just begun, from agenda setter to problem solver. It’s all about putting Nigeria’s interest first. It’s a huge task ahead. And he knows it.