Pamela Eboh
The 2023 presidential and national assembly election held on February 25 has indeed changed the political narrative of Nigeria, especially with the emergence of an unprecedented force known as the Obidient Movement.
The Obidient group, a conglomeration of youths from all works of life, political affiliation, tribe, but with a sole aim of birthing a new Nigeria with the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Gregory Obi as the driver, took the centre stage as disciples, foot soldiers of a not so popular political party, the Labour Party and made a bold statement with it.
Upon its emergence, it was rated and dismissed as a toothless social media force that would fizzle out with time but it has turned out to be the most potent and dreaded force that holds the ace.
The Obidient force which appeared not to have any known pilot riding it moved from social media noise makers to the nooks and cranies of the entire Nigeria and beyond in a hurricane-like movement dominating the political arena.
This domination of course is not far from Peter Obi’s integrity, ideals, manifesto and walk the talk attitude which ultimately has endeared him to Nigerians across the six geo-political zones of the country and even in disapora.
Obi’s antecedents and pedigree which led to the slogan, “Go and Verify” made him the choice candidate of the people and for the people.
He became the hope, the God sent messiah or if you like, the Moses of our era who had come to liberate the people from the wicked clutches of bad leaders.
Out of all the candidates, he was the most outspoken, most subtle and approachable one, that appeared to feel the pains of the masses, hence the Obidient Movement gave him the wings to fly and soar.
Suffice it to say that the Obidient Movement became the face of Labour Party, so much so that all the major marches across the country were spearheaded and sponsored by the Obidient Movement itself.
They worked all round the clock to ensure victory was achieved and the hardwork paid off handsomely as the political party ridiculed and pronounced by many as lacking political structure turned out to be the most reverred and sought after bride, even without any material or financial inducement (“shishi”).
The Peter Obi Obidient force ultimately led to the retirement of the old brigade of politicians, both male and female, and their replacement with the new breed. This is, despite the intimidations and threats from different quaters.
The outcome of the presidential and national assembly elections has indeed sent jitters down the spine of major parties, so much so that some candidates started visiting churches to solicit for support.
In Anambra State, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA appears to have their tail tug in between their legs out of fear of losing the majority of the Anambra State House of Assembly seat to Labour Party.
At the moment, the slogan, “Labour Party all the way” has remained the latest sing song of the Obidient Movement.
This tune is no doubt, borne out of anger following the outburst of the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo who had earlier dismissed Obi as one with no capacity to win the presidential election. He also said that the Igbo is not yet in the right space to occupy the presidential seat.
Also, the introduction of tax in the state especially for transporters in the state did not go down well with the people.
Soludo’s part one opinion which he stated in a written piece stirred the anger of majority of Igbo people who felt that 2023 was the only chance available to the Southeast to occupy the number one seat of power for the sake of equity and fairness.
To them, it is the turn of the Igbo and nothing should stand in the way and to this.
To this end, the electorate in Anambra State see a protest vote against the sitting APGA government to reduce the number of its lawmakers in the state assembly is the only way to avenge Soludo’s open lack of support for Obi.
Though some political watchers described Soludo’s outburst as a mis-speak, others were of the opinion that the outburst may have come from the side of ambition and desire to rather be the first Igbo president.
However, Soludo’s good works on ground, especially as it concerns roads, salary increment for the state workers, employment of 5,000 teachers, nurses and doctors as well as the incumbency factor may play a major role in determining the outcome of the Saturday’s State Assembly election.
Meanwhile, Soludo and Obi are bossom acquintances with different style of playing politics, but, the bigger elephant lion will today, Saturday, 28, February, 2023 take the center stage
Despite the fact that there are other political parties filing out for the contest, all eyes are fixated on Soludo’s APGA and Obi”s Obidient Labour Party.
Suffice it to say that a win for APGA will spell a stable and focused government good to deliver the dividends of democracy and hitherto making Anambra the Dubai of Africa as promised by the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, while LP majority will create a new dawn for the state legislature.
