DONALD IORCHIR writes on the presidential candidates and running mates of the major political parties and notes that Labour Party (LP), a hitherto unknown platform, has assumed a larger than life image because of the nomination of Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
As the 2023 elections gather momentum, Nigerians have been making assessment of all presidential candidates and their parties based on their performance records whether they can be supported or not.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fielded the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shettima as presidential candidate and running mate, respectively. Besides controversies surrounding the person of Tinubu, the Muslim-Muslim ticket is still generating mixed reactions from across the country.
For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it is Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state. However, the southern Nigeria feels that Atiku has breached the rotation principle of the party and usurped the presidential race.
The New Nigeria’s Peoples Party (NNPP), a seemingly new party has former governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and his running mate Bishop Ben Idahosa. But analysts dismiss the pair due to the extant two term eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari which has consigned their candidacy to obscurity. Most analyst feel that Kwankwaso is in the race to win Kano and other neighbouring states sympathetic to his course.
The Labour Party (LP) has fielded former Anambra state governor, Mr Peter Obi and an educationists par excellence, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The feeling pervading the Nigerian landscape as the 2023 draws nearer is that while assessing these politicians and their political antecedents, the citizens who are seemingly more politically conscious and wiser now, “would have a rethink and cast their votes against the forces that have militated growth and development” of the country.
A cross section of those who volunteered their opinions to our correspondent appeared to be saying that from all indications, the LP candidate and his running mate were more equipped and best suited for job to lead the country out of the doldrum among other presidential hopefuls and their running mates.
Some respondents speak
To Mr Kunle Awoniyi, a media practitioner, “Peter Obi has many qualities over all the candidates. He is apparently younger than Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. In terms of academics, available records show he is more educated than them. He is youth-friendly and visionary.
“His ideas of a better Nigeria resonates with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, particularly, the youth. In fact his resume points to the fact that he is better qualified to lead this country better than other the presidential candidates.
“His performance records speak volumes of his competence. He is successful in academics, public and private service and in business. In politics, his sojourn as a governor is incomparable and his greatest asset because he is tested and trusted beyond measure.”
“Similarly, his running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is not only an educationist, but a proprietor of a full pledge private university, which is adjudged as one of the best in the country. His enormous credentials has proven his mettle and competence to lead, Awoniyi said.
Barrister Musa Lawal a lawyer said “In the 2023 presidential contest, the youths being vanguard in any struggle, have realised the neglect, usage and manipulation by the elite or the ruling class.
“The power elite in this country have been using them (youth) for their parochial motives and interests, especially, during elections and after the moment it is over, the youth are abandoned to their fate.
“A lot of them are turned into political thugs, among whom some graduated to become hardened criminals, insurgents and bandits – an intractable security challenge that bedevilled the Northern region, and already spilling over to the whole country.”
Lawal said “having understood this ugly trend, thousands of youths have made up their minds to support LP’s presidential candidates in the forthcoming 2023 elections. Already, a lot of alliances are forming along that line of thinking and concrete action.”
Commenting on the choice of Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed as running mate, Barrister Lawal said it’ is a testimony to Obi’s vision and mission for young, agile, healthy looking and academically sound person, armed with greater vision and mission for this country.
“Together, they are ever ready to salvage this country from the cocoons of poverty, hopelessness, ignorance, disunity and culpable corruption, so that the nation could have a better future that is citizens-friendly.
Another respondent Architect Nicholas Otu said “In many quarters, there is a profound belief that the likes of Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar could not help this country out of its woods.
“In fact, they are part of the problem that afflicts Nigeria. Nigerians are saying it how in their conversations. So, why should they be voted into office in 2023?
“Without fear of contradiction, Peter Obi of the LP is more physically fit, intellectually endowed, and within the required age bracket, imbued with requisite wisdom and knowledge to turn this country around and carry the teeming youth along in the national salvation journey. It is not a matter of sentiments.”
LP and non structure question
On the prevailing argument that LP is not a big political party, Otu said, “yes, but is not a new political party either. It has been around in this political dispensation with some elected members of the Assemblies at state and national levels, and at least one governor, Olusegun Mimiko. The declaration of Obi has given it another impetus in the national parties equation.
“They (Obi and Baba-Ahmed) are physically fit, vibrant, energetic and youthful-looking. Their brains and physiques are okay for the wear and tear of the presidency. In fact, to be a president, one must be healthy, intellectually sound, emotional stable to succeed.
“It’s not an easy task. Obi and Baba-Ahmed have all these qualities and many more. The other candidates have already aged and physically lame. So, it is hard responsibility that requires medium age, mental, physical and emotional energies that Obi/Baba-Ahmed have.”
The neglect of youth
A public affairs analyst Lateef Tijani advised: “The electorate, particularly, the youth, who have been too much neglected should put their potentials at work, change their mindsets and support Obi/Baba-Ahmed candidacy in the LP. They should ignore the APC and PDP because they are not the nation’s alternatives. They are not, really.
“We have divergent faiths. Had God willed it, all creations would have been the same. But there is wisdom in our difference, and that is what God wants”, he said.
Barrister Mustapha Umar noted that “the issue of religion is personal, but politically, we are looking for someone who is going to lead us irrespective of his religion, region or tribe. We have elected our own, President Buhari.
“What has he done to change our lives? Nothing. In fact, to many Northern youths, Buhari is the worst leader who made nonsense of the economy and failed to right the wrongs of the past.
“The same Buhari unleashed barrage of criticisms and insults on past presidents, as if he is a messiah.
Leadership devoid of religion, ethnic bias
Babangida Kakaki of the Ballpoint Newsmagazine while commenting on this development said the issue of leadership is devoid of religious faith or tribal identity. It’s based on competence, ability, mental and physical strength.
“We should not allow anyone to deceive us using religions in politics. Never. Religion is between one and his creator. Even God in the Holy Quran has said, “He gives power to whomsoever he wishes at the time he wishes.” He didn’t say to only a Muslim. Now, Buhari is a Muslm northerner.
“What has northern Muslims benefitted from his leadership? Tell me, if you know. God gives power to all – Christian’s, Muslims, atheists and whoever. The yardsticks to measure is justice, honesty, service to the people, protection of citizens’ honour and their wealth. These are the attributes of a leader this country wants irrespective of his faith, where he comes from or ethnicity,” Kakaki stated.
Christian Umoren stated that “the 2023 presidential poll is about the nation’s destiny. It is a belief and total conviction in our democratic journey. A stupid man, it is said, is someone who see the truth, but refuses to accept it.
“One thing that Nigerian have to know is that, it is not futile for someone to vote for a candidate he believed in even if he is going to lose an election, but voting a bad and incompetent candidate even if he going to win election is the worst thing. And this is the beauty of democracy and by extension, the beauty of life. People might have different shades of opinions.
“What’s the point in joining the crowd just because of its number, while one knows and convinced he is on the wrong path? What’s the point? So, people are convinced that, Obi/Baba-Ahmed candidature is the best and supportable to all patriotic Nigerians, especially the youths irrespective of religious, tribal or regional considerations.
“Absolutely, there is a certainty the North would prosper better under Peter Obi more than it did, under Buhati APC led administration. The number of critical projects in the North which has been neglected and ignored by Buhari administration will be executed by LP’s presidential candidate and more.”
What happened during the Jonathan administration?
Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf, a farmer said: “People will tend to agree with me if I said, the record performances of Jonathan administration in the North are better than Buhari administration’s. So, by and large, northern people are often better off if someone from the South is ruling this country. The records are there.
What I’m saying in a nutshell is “better qualified persons should lead this country in 2023 and someone not too old – at least 50 – 60 years. The problem is we tend to rely on hearsay instead of us to make research on issues and personalities. One must do a research to find out.
“Even if one is going into a business with someone, one needs to know the kind of person he is dealing with, let alone someone whom we are going to surrender our lives and destiny to. It is a duty incumbent Nigerians of all callings to understudy Obi/Baba-Ahmed resume with a view to understand them for support.”
