By Ezeakukwu Emmanuel Nsoedo
The presidential candidacy of Peter Obi has taken a life of its own, galvanizing the patriotism of the youths across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
The song is uniform, and the mantra is ‘Obiedient’. It defies ethnic attachment or sentiment; the driving force is the irrationality of the youths, as many old politicians had attempted to portray them.
The man whose quest to serve as the Nigerian president as effectively lost the absolute control to pilot his affairs with the professional political hands at his disposal. Mr Peter Obi is not complaining by any chance. He has so far remained resolute and adroit in dissecting the problems that have hobbled the Nigerian journey to greatness.
To mark Nigeria’s independence of October 1st, 2022, the youth had planned to march in Lagos, partly to commemorate the memory of the Endsars youths that were gunned at the Lekki Toll gate.
The Lagos state government took umbrage at the possibility of anarchy reigning in the state; the police command spewed fire and mobilized a fierce team of intimidating policemen to deal with whomever that would contravene should such gathering take effect.
The attempt to discourage the march galvanized the youth all over the country to march against the numerous problems prevalent in Nigeria today, while urging all to vote Peter Obi in come 2023. The march was simultaneous that all were not covered. The remarkable few were Lagos, Warri, Bauchi, etc.
For the first time in the political history of independent Nigeria had all the warring tribes seeking advantages for themselves have willingly donated their interest to one man without any precondition.
The managers of the election in INEC offices across Nigeria must be worried sick at the prospect of failure from their part.
The usual independence activities in various parts of Nigeria had been converted to the obi-dient political movement.
It is clear that the horses have left the stable house, there is no point closing the gates. The Nigeria youths have seized the political initiative and they are not likely give up before 2023.