Is Peter Obi and ‘Obidients’ really ready?

Mr. Peter Obi’s Presidential campaign trajectory and the activities of his supporters are beginning to make some Nigerians wonder if he and his team of supporters/advisors are serious about winning the presidential election in 2023.

This is because, it appears to some of us that Mr. Obi is okay to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even if the Labour Party (LP) does not win a local council chairmanship, state or National Assembly seat, or governorship slot.

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• Is Peter Obi and ‘Obidients’ really ready?

I wonder what the game plan is or how it will work.

The Obidients should better direct their strategy and resources to see if they can catch up with having structures across the country and gain the trust and/or confidence of the electorate across religion, ethnicity and regions.

Even in the United States of America, successes in the real political aspirations and contests depend on how candidates shore up votes on and from the streets, villages, and town halls; build bridges, and deal/negotiate with the business communities, religious bodies and other critical interest groups, including international stakeholders.

Coming to a war with a gunboat to face a massive fleet of naval warships and aircraft carriers with all the paraphernalia commanded by decorated war-tested generals is certainly a wasteful venture  – to say the least.

With due respect to the Obidient team, they should smell the coffee and face reality! The real game of politics is not in the books or social media—those are part of the ingredients but not the key ingredients for political success.

What is LP’s current capacity? How much capacity and consequent votes can they shore up from now to December? The questions are germane especially with the scattered, tactless, toxic, and counterproductive tantrums, threats, and vague analysis by the Obidients, which are not focused on any real “game-changing” narratives that should be full of substance and a “national” blueprint proposal that could be the talisman for LP.

In such asymmetrical warfare; impulsive moves and a lack of commonality of purpose and coordination to achieve the objective is a recipe for potential implosion and failure (within the LP) at the general elections. The Obedients should note that they got into the race a bit late and, therefore, they are already swimming against the tide.

At best, so far what Peter Obi should be applauded for, is how he was able to shore up high political awareness and attracted support for himself within a short time, which to me is not really only due to Mr. Obi’s political sagacity, but largely due to national frustrations and current terrible socio-economic situation in the country.

What remains to be seen is how Mr. Obi will work to win the elections. Strategy, resources, preparation, determination, the right temperament, consistency, and timing are key success factors in politics.

Is Peter Obi really ready and prepared to become the President or is he just testing the waters? It is a rhetorical question. We will all know the answer in weeks to come 

Baba Yusuf resides in Abuja and can be reached through [email protected]