In a working democracy not polluted by soldiers of fortune,
political parties and the power elite would have long courted former Governor
Peter Obi as a presidential candidate to disrupt some dark forces and
institutions that have held down a significant country like Nigeria . But
this is Nigeria
where the most important qualification to be a candidate for a high profile
office is loyalty to ‘political party owners’ or the godfathers. This is the
one of the reasons we have been battling with the spirit of near-success
syndrome – since 1966 when we lost democracy and federalism. The vicious
godfathers are still in charge even for #Project2019.
*Peter Obi |
Despite this prevailing political condition, I
think Mr. Peter Obi, as running mate to a presidential candidate at this time
should still be celebrated as a glimmer of hope for the most populous black
nation on earth. The reason for this additional note to a series of contextual
reporting of the man so far is simple. Current attacks on him by a section of
the power elite in Eastern Nigeria and celebration of his nomination by the
sophisticated Western Nigeria for instance, also illustrate a message of
restoration for those who have lost faith in the optimism of the Mandelas who
believe that it is only through Nigeria that Africa and the black race would be
blessed and celebrated.