As political parties commence electioneering campaigns for
the 2023 general election in the next two weeks, it is becoming moments of
anxiety and tension.
The energy, being displayed by the youths both in Nigeria
and diaspora, appears unprecedented.
The momentum is growing among the youth for the candidate of
the Labour Party, Peter Obi on social media space.
On Saturday, supporters of Obi shut down Enugu State capital
in their one-million-man march, which commenced at the Michael Okpara Square
and grounded vehicular movement within the metropolis.
Speaking to journalists, Dr Chima Edoga, Co-Director
planning committee, Enugu one-million-man fitness march for Obi Season One,
described the rally as a huge success, stressing that “Nigerians are
demonstrating their resolve to retake their country.”
Earlier, on Saturday, September 3, the streets of Ibadan,
Abeokuta and Nnewi were filled with mammoth crowds in solidarity with the LP
flagbearer ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
This development is a gesture to change the narrative that
supporters of Obi are only on the internet.
However, Nigerian politics is determined by party political
structure, stakeholders, and patronage, unless there is a strong “paradigm
shift” far beyond what is normal.
A candidate must get 25 percent of votes in two-third of the
36 States of the country, which is 24 States of the nation.
A Professor of Political Science, Prof Bolaji Omitola while
speaking with DAILY POST noted that “the Obidient movement is not just about
Peter Obi; look at the demography; the people called Obidients are mostly the
youth. When you engage them on issues, most of them don’t have the political
history of Nigeria, they don’t understand some of the precedents of this
country.”
But according to him, “the youths are looking for someone
that, at least, can be portrayed differently from the establishment.”
When asked if Obi can win the 2023 presidential election,
Omitola said “the Obidient must go beyond imagination and the normal way of
Nigerian politics.”
“But looking at the structure of Nigerian politics, the way
things are, it will be near possible for Obi to become President. You need
structure, local notables, and patronage, that is the nature of our politics.
But if you have a paradigm shift far beyond imagination, then it is possible,”
he said.
In the same vein, a lecture from Political Science at
Fountain University, Mojeed Animasahun also analyzed the need for political
structure while describing the Labour Party as a “fringe party”.
According to him, nobody can say it is impossible for
anybody to become president, in a democracy, stressing that, “Peter Obi became
a force because of his followership on social media, and I wish they can
translate those support to vote for him to be a president.”
Animasahun continued that, “party labels are very important
in winning elections. The Labor party is a fringe party, the only State the LP
has governed is Ondo.
“He needs 25 percent of votes in 24 States, this will be
extremely difficult for Obi to gather. Even in the South-East that is his
stronghold, he will have to battle Atiku Abubakar because PDP is very strong in
the region likewise the South-South.”
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