Obi, 'Obidients', and the way forward.
Posted: March 24th, 2023, 4:02 pm
The 2023 Nigerian election was one of a kind, and a game changer. Peter Obi, the Labour party presidential candidate came forward which such power and momentum that had never been seen, especially from a previously almost unknown party. He changed the political landscape of the country and demystified most of the previously thought-cryptic politics. And most especially, got the youths more interested in and involved in the politics of their nation.
Peter Obi represented hope to a lot of Nigerians. They rallied behind him without any form of inducement and supported him staunchly. His supporters, the "Obidients", carried a lot of zeal and motivation with them. In search of a better Nigeria, they put their all behind one man. But some of them may have gotten it wrong.
Obidients made a lot of waves, especially in the online space. But then, they might have allowed themselves become carried away by their indignation. They believed that only their candidates could have what it took to rule Nigeria. They also accused anyone supporting the other candidates, especially the APC and the PDP, of being bribed, stupid, evil, and just plain wicked. Though, the backward and corrupt nature of our nation is inextricably tied to the leadership of these two parties, making it difficult to blame the "Obidients" for their outrage, it still doesn't mean that they were right.
Against many odds, the "Obidients" trooped out in their numbers to vote on Election Day. They were opposed by thugs allegedly from opposition parties, threatened, and some were even beaten, but still they came out to vote. Probably due to the lack of transparency of the electoral body, INEC, and the experiences from the presidential election, the gubernatorial elections was marked with low voter turnout. At the end, the Labour party won some, and lost many. But they had already become a force to reckon with.
Going forward, after the elections, I think the Labour party supporters and the "Obidients", should make sure to avoid violent protests. They should accept their losses—and their wins—and refrain from making enemies of the supporters of the opposing parties. They should instead work to consolidate their gains from the recently concluded elections and make sure they show Nigerians why they are the better choice for the job.
Elections come and go, but our choices stay with us. It is contradictory, and unfruitful--at least in the long run-- to fight evil with evil. My advice is that Nigerians refrain from post-election violence, and instead work together for the betterment of the nation. The government cannot work without the people. Our future is in our hands.
Peter Obi represented hope to a lot of Nigerians. They rallied behind him without any form of inducement and supported him staunchly. His supporters, the "Obidients", carried a lot of zeal and motivation with them. In search of a better Nigeria, they put their all behind one man. But some of them may have gotten it wrong.
Obidients made a lot of waves, especially in the online space. But then, they might have allowed themselves become carried away by their indignation. They believed that only their candidates could have what it took to rule Nigeria. They also accused anyone supporting the other candidates, especially the APC and the PDP, of being bribed, stupid, evil, and just plain wicked. Though, the backward and corrupt nature of our nation is inextricably tied to the leadership of these two parties, making it difficult to blame the "Obidients" for their outrage, it still doesn't mean that they were right.
Against many odds, the "Obidients" trooped out in their numbers to vote on Election Day. They were opposed by thugs allegedly from opposition parties, threatened, and some were even beaten, but still they came out to vote. Probably due to the lack of transparency of the electoral body, INEC, and the experiences from the presidential election, the gubernatorial elections was marked with low voter turnout. At the end, the Labour party won some, and lost many. But they had already become a force to reckon with.
Going forward, after the elections, I think the Labour party supporters and the "Obidients", should make sure to avoid violent protests. They should accept their losses—and their wins—and refrain from making enemies of the supporters of the opposing parties. They should instead work to consolidate their gains from the recently concluded elections and make sure they show Nigerians why they are the better choice for the job.
Elections come and go, but our choices stay with us. It is contradictory, and unfruitful--at least in the long run-- to fight evil with evil. My advice is that Nigerians refrain from post-election violence, and instead work together for the betterment of the nation. The government cannot work without the people. Our future is in our hands.