Politics
By Thompson Ayodele
THIS is a sweet time for many Nigerians. The Obidients have had a vigorous, remarkable, and dedicated campaign. We deserve congratulations.
Peter Obi supporters (Obidients) have made extraordinary efforts to elect someone who can pilot the affairs of the country we all love, and we are winning.This is the time of great challenge for Nigeria, as we navigate through this election.
Peter Obi ran for the office because he and his supporters are concerned about Nigeria. Peter Obi is down to earth and confident in the challenge which the situation in Nigeria demands.
When the Obident movement started a few months ago, we did not know how it would turn out, but we remained resolute and energized. Many, particularly EMILOKAN supporters, said Obidient movement was just the rave of the moment, or it was simply social media supports, and that with time the movement would fizzle out.
Today, Obidients have done what the cynics said we could not. In the history of Nigeria, nothing can be compared to what Obidients have done. We have built a political party out of nothingness, without any structure or many money bags. Rather, concerned Nigerians who supported the movement decided to take their destiny into their hands.
No matter what happens after INEC has announced the authentic results of the election, not the already doctored results, the Obidients will feel good about how it turned out because the Obidients have created an incredible campaign.
Nigerians are not against one another because of any presidential candidate. We all support the candidate of our choice because of our belief in Nigeria and the kind of vision we have for the country we all love. As a united country, there are no frontiers we can not reach unless we are divided.
At this time, eight years ago, many Nigerians felt a fresh excitement about electing President Buhari. His choice was not that of many Nigerians, but we always come together after the election.
Today, eight years after the excitement of President Buhari’s election, the majority of Nigerians now doubt that our children will have a better future. Many well-to-do Nigerians are suddenly unable to put food on the table for their families.
The wave of Japa, including professionals, is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. That was not what we were promised by the All-Progressive Congress (APC). How many of President Buhari supporters then, except those who got appointments, are better off than they were eight years ago. Today, small businesses, which are the engine of growth, have been crushed by Buhari-Tinubu policies.
I wish President Buhari had succeeded because I want Nigeria and Nigerians to succeed. But his and APC’s promises gave way to disappointment and division. Yet APC wants to remain in power. You and your family deserve better, and indeed, Nigeria deserves better.
The APC should allow the will of the people to prevail and let one-man, one vote count. The doctrine of grab it and run away with it was on display last Saturday in Lagos, and in many parts of Nigeria. Let the winner emerge with a free and fair election, and Obidents will accept the outcome.
***Thompson Ayodele is based on Vancouver, BC Canada.
A.I
Tags: INEC Peter Obi
