BY EMMAN OZOEMENA
Just thinking can Mr. Peter Obi reset Nigeria’s political space with this governance paradigm that he is adumbrating?
In the last few weeks since the former Anambra state governor threw his hat into the ring to contest the 2023 presidential election, he continues to gain momentum as one of front runners.
He is currently crisis crossing the country meeting with People Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and delegates over his aspiration.
One question that keep agitating my mind is this, how far can Peter Obi go in this race?
Secondly, can the political class that form bulk of delegates at the Party convention given its sense of entitlement and wetted appetite buy-in into his governance paradigm that seeks reduce cost of governance, which ostensible denies them pecks of power that Peter Obi is championing.
Perhaps, Nigeria may be on her way to a new dawn, if Peter Obi is lucky to fly PDP presidential ticket. I am still trying to see how this ‘revolution’ in governance that he leads will pan out.
Being a tough minded optimist, I believe he may be lucky to actualize his aspiration to clinch the PDP leaving the next hurdle the general elections.
Taking a cue from the United States two elections, 2016 and 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent who sought the platform of Democratic Party was one contender in the race for US presidency that adopted unorthodox approach to governance. The swarms in the Democratic Party had to stop him through unhand means by the party leadership.
In 2016, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, through leaked e-mails saga was alleged to have in collusion with Secretary Hilary Clinton, a contender to the party ticket hatched a strategy to ensure Bernie Sanders never emerged. In the aftermath of scandal Ms. Schultz had to step down as party chair.
Sanders and Obi shares so much in common as their messages resonates with the young people who see it as beacon of hope for their future which at times the politicians squander through actions and inactions.
As Obi continues his consultations, lets see if the PDP delegates will look his way on May 29, 2022 at its national convention to nominate its standard bearer for the 2023 Presidential election.
Time will tell.
(c)Emman Ozoemena, is a public policy consultant.
April 22, 2023.
