By Dr John Okey Onoh
While other candidates fight for votes with cash Peter Obi is fighting with his ideas. He has not exhibited a fraction of the level of desperation common to many aspirants during campaigns (election fever).
Politicians in their bid to achieve (or retain) power have more often than not lied, schemed, charmed, flattered and deceived to win. Yet their behavior often belies their real intention. On achieving power they have displayed traits well concealed at the onset of flirting with the electorate. They have been egoistic, tempestuous, monstrous and politically (despite the rosy glow in which some of them pretentious display in the media) always selfish. The political duel of these politicians has for years decided the strategy for the fiercest power struggle in the country over the years with devastating consequences to millions of Nigerians.
Nigerians must cherish no illusions. If we continue in this defeatist indifference towards our collective destiny no amount of prayers (in the absence of concerted action) will salvage the country from further disaster. Unfortunately even if a greater percentage of Nigerians have made up their mind to cast their votes for Peter Obi their desire to vote will be further dampened if the delegates cast in another direction. I am of the belief that PDP would lose a greater amount of potential votes as a result.
Opinion polls have shown the measure of the resolve of many to support Peter Obi if he emerges as the PDP flag bearer for the 2023 presidential elections. These polls have shown that even many that won’t vote for him believe he is the most qualified but are restricted in their support by capitalist, tribal, religious, party and political camp considerations.
People may be expecting delegates to act rationally by not selling their votes to the highest bidder but cast it in support of the candidate whom deep down they know holds the keys to a better future for Nigerians. A candidate who is methodical, calculating, a hard working person, a master of detail, that candidate I know to be Peter Obi.
But because of the profound difference between the reasoning of progressives and the average politician this perfect logic is very easily rendered irrelevant in the face of hard facts (money politics). This is why I maintain that it is in the hands of the delegates of the PDP across the country.
Peter Obi intends to replace the “sharing formula” with “production formula”. Never before since the days of my political awareness as a child in the second republic have I listened to a presidential candidate whose articulation of problems and their attendant solutions revealed so much detail in a sensible way. Never have I seen an unparalleled track record in a politician’s public service and private life which makes other candidates’ accounts pale in comparison. Never have I been touched by a show of the type of humility that can only come from upbringing not tutored by spin doctors for public effect. Never have I seen a presidential candidate so frugal like Peter Obi that he would rather risk losing the elections than going against what he preaches by lavishing money on elections just to buy the hearts and minds of delegates.
Peter Obi is a firm believer in the rule of law. He spent 3 years in court (2003-2006) to get a judgement in his favour before he could be sworn in as governor of Anambra State. By November of that same year (2006) he was impeached by the Anambra state house of assembly. But did he try to bribe the legislators? He could have easily prevented his impeachment but he didn’t. Did he use thugs to intimidate his opponents? Of course not. He went to court and in February 2007 he was reinstated as governor.
Obi once again left office on 29 May 2007 following the general elections, which Andy Uba won. Obi returned to the courts once more, this time contending that the four-year tenure he had won in the 2003 elections only started to run when he took office in March 2006. Three times this man went to court and three times he was reinstated. It only takes a man of strong, focused and disciplined character to pursue his goals using legal means and with extreme patience. Such a man would not only respect the rights of the common man if he assumes power but will certainly respect the judiciary and the legislature. In contrast to many out-going governors Peter Obi left his state much better than he met it and did not aspire for any elective position like the seat of his Senatorial zone at the National Assembly.
If Peter Obi does not emerge as his party’s flag bearer his worry won’t be that he didn’t taste the power that comes with being the president. His worry would be that Nigeria did not get an honest chance at being salvaged. It is the country as a whole who will lose such sterling service of his stewardship. For now it is in the hands of his party delegates.
Good morning (if it is not too late).
John Odey Onoh teaches at Abia State University, Uturu.