Obi: From opinion polls to public endorsements
By PHC Telegraph
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party must be panting as they make it to the last lap of the race.
What a race in has been for the presidential candidates on the road to 2023!
While some have run “push and start races” because of internal differences, a few candidates have focused on issues
In all, it has not been easy heading to the finish in a hotly contested race with a runner like Peter Obi.
Peter Obi gallops away from his opponents.Not many, not even from his own part of the country, had given the Labour Party candidate a chance in a dozen to dominate the presidential race.
But the Catholic from Anambra State who tefuses to join issues in public with his opponents in a four way horse race has proved a hard nut to crack.
He continues, at least for now, to run in front of the other candidates in a manner that is baffling despite what is seen as their vast political experience. .
Political pundits say Obi has been near invisible most of the time, leading in all credible national opinion polls conducted so far.
On the social media, the Labour candidate has transformed into the rave of the moment., with most Nigerians begining to think ‘Obi may be the one with the ‘Medas touch.
With a few more days left to the moment of decision, Obi has entered a new phase. He is publicly receiving endorsements from well-placed Nigerians.
Governor Sam Ortom’s comments about Obi has ignited so many reactions, with some suggesting that the G5 may have broken up or elected to go along with the self acclaimed trader drafted into the race by Labour who says he will move Nigeria away from a consumer market to a production country.
Seyi Makinde, Ayo Fayose, two strong voices within the fold of the G5 Governors who may lean in the direction of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Ortom is yet to get the kind of abuse that Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has received, following his “open-letter- support” for Peter Obi
His latest letter to Nigerians in which he openly endorsed Obi ahead of other political gladiators that are running the race is still making the rounds.
While ordinary Nigerians hail Obasanjo over his choice of Obi, the PDP and APC have both criticized the Egba-born farmer.
They say Obasanjo may not be in a position Io influence votes in Nigeria or win his electoral unit not to talk about hiis ward.
The Presidency has not been left out either. It has dismissed Obasanjo’s letter, describing it as a product of envy and crass jealousy targeted againstPresidentMuhammadu Buhari and the modest achievements that he is making.
Wike, Obasanjo, two men who may have a strong pull on the political fortune of the Southern Nigerian peopleGovernor Nyesom Wike has in his reaction to Obasanjo’s remark said the fact that he did not endorse his former Deputy speaks volumes.
Yet, Wike has remained mum over his choice of a preferred candidate, saying in the face of insinuations made by the PDP that he working for Asiwaju that nobody can intimidate him on who to support.
Of late a desperate PDP campaign machine and some of their friends in the press have turned Wike into their target.
It would appear that prominent anchors of the Morning Show on Arise News have been drafted into the anti-Wike campaign effort.
Elder statesman, Edwin Clark has come out in support of Peter Obi, flagbearer of the Labour Party, LP.
Clark, an ex-Minister of Information who spoke shortly after former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Obi, said Nigeria deserves to be led by an educated, exposed and enlightened personae like Obi.
The foremost leader of the Niger Delta people agreed it was time to guarantee a powershift to the Igbo nation, saying the Igbo have educated and capable hands who can be trusted to deliver Nigeria.
Clark has received a fair share of criticisms, especially from those who accuse him of dumping a vice presidential candidate from his state.
Clark won’t however be the only heavyweight from Delta State that is not backing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Many in that oil producing State are challenging his choice of a successor.
In the meantime, Obi gallops away in the court of public opinion.
Atiku, Tinubu, two political heavyweights that are seemingly running behind on the road to the presidency. Can Obi succeed against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC?
Nonetheless, the candidate of the Labour Party needs to be wary of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the AllProgressivesCongress.
Tinubu, not Atiku, is perhaps the only one with the capacity to stop Obi. Unlike Obi, Tinubu has a strong presence in most parts of the country, particularly in the North East and the North West.
The show Tinubu put up in Kano may indeed be a sufficient sign of what to expect as the APC fires from all cylinders in its rush to eclipse other political parties, close the gap enjoyed by Obi and his supporters and retain its hold on power.