How will he announce this to his teeming supporters, especially The OBIDIENTS Movement, who are like his cult followers?
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi is going through a lot right now. The issue has a lot to do with how best to achieve his political ambition of becoming the next President of Nigeria come 2027. He feels he is the best man for the job.
He tried in 2023. And he came 3rd in the race, losing to President Bola Tinubu, who came 1st and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who came 2nd.
As the next Presidential election draws near, what should be the Strategy to adopt?…CONTINUE READING
Which political platform should he pick to run on? These are the issues which weigh heavy on his mind.
The last time, he decamped from the PDP where he once ran with Atiku and joined the Labour Party. He didn’t officially inform Atiku before he left the PDP for Labour Party.
Ironically, this time around he has gone back to the same Atiku and both have been meeting to jointly plan the Strategy to use to defeat Tinubu who is now their common enemy. Both have agreed to form a coalition to use. They are working with others like Mallam El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and many others.
According to insiders Peter Obi’s problems is: the right strategy to adopt?
Right now, he has the option of running for Presidency on the platform of Labour Party on which he ran in 2023 or go to another party.
Already some Stakeholders in Labour Party have told him that he can’t get an automatic ticket.
He is also not in good terms with Julius Abure, the Chairman of the party who has been locked in an epic battle with members of the National Working Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman.
As you read this, the party is in crisis of immense proportion. The NWC has sacked Abure, he in turn has taken them on, and has refused to accept the NWC order.
Peter Obi is worried that he may not be able to actualise his political ambition using Labour Party, that has been fractionalised.
He also knows he can’t win the presidential election all alone. He also needs to team up with other strong candidates.
The problem he is facing is similar to that of Atiku in PDP. Atiku also is facing stiff opposition from party bigwigs who have come out to tell him to drop his political ambition and support a much younger aspirant.
There are those who have also told him to allow the current President complete his 2nd term, just like Buhari his predecessor did.
Atiku’s position has always been that no single presidential aspirant can beat Tinubu in 2027 without collaborating with other strong politicians from other zones. That is why he thinks a joint ticket between him and Peter Obi is the best strategy to adopt.
At one of their meeting Atiku has offered Peter Obi a deal to be his running mate. He has asked Obi to drop his presidential ambition and team up with him to beat Tinubu.
Part of the deal is that Atiku (who is from the North) will serve for only one term and Peter Obi will take over from him.
The strategy is to have an ATIKU/OBI ticket which will make Obi drop his presidential ambition for now and team up with ATIKU.
Peter Obi’s dilemma is: will this work? How can he drop his ambition to be president and become a running mate to a man who he ran away from in PDP, when he was his running mate then?
How will he announce this to his teeming supporters, especially The OBEDIENTS Movement, who are like his cult followers?
If he agrees to Atiku’s deal, will it be honoured when the time comes?
Left to Peter Obi, he thinks he is a stronger candidate than Atiku. He feels he has a brighter chance.
But there are those who are angry with him within Labour Party that since 2023, when he lost at the centre, he has paid scant regard to the internal affairs of Labour Party.
For the past 2 years, Labour Party has been faced with a myriad of problems. In fact, since the party lost the gubernatorial elections in Lagos State to APC and the presidential race to Pres Bola Tinubu, all has not been well with the party which initially showed a lot of promise during the 2023 General Elections.
The problems facing the party has been largely that of Leadership. And as you read this, the party is still faced with more crisis.
Not so long ago, the Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman sacked Julius Abure the Chairman who has fought back.
And over the last few months, many have wondered why Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has not stepped in to help in amicably resolving all the contending issues.
Like one of the stakeholders put it: What has Peter Obi done to calm frayed nerves? Right now, as the Labour Party members in Lagos prepare for the forthcoming local government elections in July, what has Peter Obi done to encourage them to win?
These and many more are the questions political analysts have been asking: What fundamental thing is Peter Obi doing about the problems facing Labour Party?
These questions keep popping up day by day because Peter Obi has not directly addressed the Labour Party crisis in all his recent statements. But he has expressed concerns about the country’s situation, stating that the “labour of our heroes past” is in vain due to the current economic and social challenges facing Nigeria.
So many keep asking: Why can’t Peter Obi end Labour Party Crisis?
Insiders say Peter Obi’s ability to end the Labour Party crisis has been hindered by several factors, like the Internal Party Conflicts: The Labour Party is plagued by deep-seated internal conflicts, including leadership disputes between factions led by Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa. These conflicts have resulted in court battles, suspensions, and counter-suspensions, making it challenging for Obi to assert his authority.
There is also Lack of Control. Some have argued that as a presidential candidate and national leader, Obi may not have direct control over the party’s internal affairs, particularly when it comes to disputes between different factions. The party’s Caretaker committee, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, has passed a Vote of confidence in Obi, but this may not be enough to resolve the crisis.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent comments criticizing Obi for not resolving the party crisis has added to the pressure. Akpabio’s remarks suggest that Obi’s leadership abilities are being questioned, which could further complicate efforts to resolve the crisis.
The Labour Party’s internal power struggles and alleged financial impropriety allegations have weakened its leadership structure. Until these issues are addressed, it may be difficult for Obi or any other leader to effectively manage the party’s affairs.
Some have recommended potential steps forward, like
Dialogue and Negotiation. Encouraging open communication and negotiation among party factions could help resolve differences.
There is also the need to establish a clear, universally accepted leadership structure which would help stabilize the party.
The need for Internal Reforms. Implementing reforms to address internal grievances and improve party governance could also contribute to resolving the crisis.
But why doesn’t Peter Obi mobilise party members in Labour Party?
Insiders say that Obi has recently reached out to principal actors in the party to resolve differences and prevent external elements from infiltrating the party, indicating his willingness to intervene.
Obi emphasizes the need for Peace and unity within the party, stating that he’s visiting various states to meet people’s needs and promote peace.
Obi has reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party, dismissing rumors of his departure and emphasizing his loyalty.
Obi is working to resolve the crisis, engaging with both factions and urging them to sheath their swords.
Some have even asked what Peter Obi is doing to encourage Labour Party members who want to contest for the forthcoming LG elections in Lagos, considering his past brilliant performance in Lagos, where he led Bola Tinubu with over 1,000 votes in 17 LGAs during the presidential election.
Let’s reveal Obi’s Influence in Lagos LGAs.
His past Electoral Success are as follows: Obi won in 9 LGAs, including Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Ojo and Alimosho, while Tinubu triumphed in 11 LGAs.
On Vote Count, Obi polled 582,664 votes, while Tinubu scored 541,850 votes.
Many have argued that the 64 year old politician and businessman who was the Governor of Anambra State under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 17 March 2006 to 3 November 2006, when he was impeached has a lot to offer.
But why he is not doing enough remains an issue.
He has been a member of the Labour Party since 2022. He was the presidential candidate in 2023.
Obi sought the Vice presidential nomination in 2019, along Atiku Abubakar after decamping to Peoples Democratic Party, but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. He became a member of the Labour Party in 2022 and was handed the presidential ticket by Patrick Utomi during the primary election of the party. He selected Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the vice presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election, and their ticket lost to president and Vice President, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. Obi’s presidential campaign has been described as populist, especially with firing up a group of supporters called The ‘Obidients’.
During the 2023 Presidential election campaign, people under 30 proved to be some of the biggest Obi’s supporters, showing their support via social media, protests and street marches. Aisha Yesufu endorsed Obi in her first-ever endorsement of a presidential candidate. Young supporters of Obi’s campaign were generally called the “Obidients”, which was coined from his name “Obi.
The Obidients are attracted by Peter Obi’s ideology of frugality, economic production rather than the ostentatious consumerism and waste, and resourceful management and investment in key sectors, for economic growth and development.
Political commentators have generally argued that Obi’s third party candidacy appeals to young voters dissatisfied with the 2 major parties, which has resulted in the “biggest political movement in recent Nigerian history.”
With his core message of prudence and accountability, Obi managed to gain the backing of voters for his previously largely unknown Labour Party into a strong third force against 2 political heavyweights, APC and PDP.
The election results were announced on 1 March 2023. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress party, was named president-elect with 8.79 million votes. Obi received 6.1 million votes, and won in both Lagos and Abuja. This put Obi in third place behind winner Bola Tinubu and People’s Democratic Party nominee Atiku Abubakar. Obi contested the result. He went to court, but he again lost.
