THE NATION
Ahead of the February presidential poll, not many people gave him a chance. He was underrated by the two dominant parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led then by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
But, Obi nearly became the hero in the 2023 poll. He made a phenomenal impact, scoring over six million votes, as a starter, to the surprise of the two experienced politicians, President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Obi came into political limelight when he won the Anambra governorship election in 2003 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Although the poll was rigged in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP, the stolen mandate was retrieved at the Supreme Court.
However, after leaving office, he dumped APGA for PDP, where he paired with Atiku in 2019. His choice as running mate did not go down well with Southeast PDP leaders who complained that they were not consulted by the Waziri Adamawa.
During the preparation for the 2023 poll, he hurriedly left PDP when he got wind of the fact that Atiku was no longer looking in his direction.
Obi borrowed Labour Party (LP) and launched into the campaigns with enthusiasm.
Three factors boosted his chance. He almost became the third force, in spite of the limited capability of his “structureless” platform and disorganized supporters because Obi appealed to many youths who were not impressed by the performance of the Buhari administration.
Indeed, many youths also gravitated towards Obi through peer pressure.
The propaganda on social media by fanatical loyalists was strong, effective, confusing, and also largely deceitful, taking along many ignorant and gullible youths.
Also, the campaign was divisive, anchored on a sort of religious bickering. While the political class was busy resolving the conflict triggered by zoning or power shift, many Christians were of the opinion that after Buhari’s eight years, power should shift from a Muslim to a Christian. The religious issue became popular among Christians who lacked an in-depth understanding of the calculations that heralded the APC’s same faith ticket. However, the Christian population that endorsed Obi cut across Northcentral, Southwest state of Lagos and majorly Southeast.
The third factor was ethnicity, as reflected principally by the bloc votes secured by the LP candidate from his native Southeast and other Igbo-dominated catchment areas in the country.
In the entire Southeast, APC and PDP were shut down, making Obi, more or less, a new champion of geographical expression.
The demography of LP voters also revealed that affection for Obi contrasted with any consideration for LP. Evidently, in subsequent elections, LP could not fly, except in Abia, where Alex Otti, according to observers, was elected largely on his own merit.
Obi’s adventure into court did not bear fruit. His prayers collapsed at the tribunal and Supreme Court. But, his behaviour few days ago reflected a product of bad companionship. After Obi initially rejected Atiku’s post-election offer to team up with him, he deviated from his earlier position to fight alone.
Like Atiku, he asked President Tinubu to re-introduce himself to Nigerians who gave him majority votes. But the heat was soon turned on Obi. If as alleged by Lamidi Apapa’s faction his divided party, represented by Arabambi, Obi bears Peter on one certificate and Gregory Onwubwuasi on other certificates, does that not suggest an atom of identity crisis?
Obi’s appeal at the Supreme Court, according to the jurists, lacked merit. It meant that he was televised into chasing shadows.
Many challenges will confront Obi and LP. The former presidential candidate does not know the party totally. He only hired the platform for the poll.
Obi has defected twice from political parties. Would he still defect from LP, faced with similar circumstances?
Currently, the party is divided. Apapa and Julius Abure, a lawyer, are at loggerheads. The two-party stalwarts worked at cross-purpose during the electioneering. The leadership tussle is detrimental to the party’s unity and cohesion. There is an unfinished business of reconciliation.
Obi also has to organize and encourage his scattered followers to also embrace LP.
The party lacks formidable structures in many states. Therefore, the party has to embark on membership drive. Although the leadership of the umbrella Labour union endorsed Obi, workers were aloof. LP is not an ideological party. Therefore, it is not different from other parties.
Another challenge that will likely face the party is the defection of its few federal and state lawmakers who are swayed by carrots dangled by bigger parties.
