When the news filtered in on Wednesday about the resignation of Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and one of the top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, it was like a whirlwind,
The dumping of the PDP, a party he jointly flagged the flag in the 2019 elections as the presidential candidate was certainly the very last thing anyone would have expected.
Certainly, no political pundits saw that coming. The fact that he did this only a few days to the primaries makes it even rather interesting. It also gives further boost to any assumption that such a brazen move was not ordinary. It must have been for a bigger reason.
No doubt, hardly did any serious person give the former Anambra State governor any chance of success in the PDP primaries anyway. The last miracle that would have emerged from the PDP primaries would have been a Peter Obi victory against the likes of Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Tambuwal.
The hands were very clearly writing on the political walls and any informed mind would have read it very clear that the PDP ticket was going to the North. The best chance that Obi would have had would have been another joint ticket with another northerner, wherein he would be fielded as a running mate.
It is without doubt and unarguable that the towering credentials of the former governor rides far higher than any other contender for the Nigeria`s top political job at the moment.
However, in a country like Nigeria, merit is of last consideration if ever considered in the political scheme of things. That is the saddest situation that kept the country in comatose over the years.
This explains why someone like Nigeria`s current President Muhammadu Buhari will have a chance to rule a country of more than 200 million people amongst which are technocrats of various credentials and potentials.
This is the ugly reality that the 3rd Force political movement have set out to change and from emerging indications, Peter Obi seems to be a beautiful bride of this movement. This could explain why the former governor would opt for what some persons may consider a political suicide.
The 3rd Force is a fusion of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) and The Political Alternative Movement, TPAM. It boosts of technocrats and established professionals like Femi Falana SAN, Prof. Pat Utomi and many more.
Recently, this emerging political movement adopted the Labour Party as the platform to capture power in 2023 to pursue their reformation agenda for Nigeria.
The two major labour centers – the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are major stakeholders in the 3rd Force alliance.
The 3rd Force movement has among other agenda the demands of the EndSARS movement of 2020, as well as the various demands of the Nigerian labour unions which have been dismissed and ignored over the years.
In a recent statement by Ms. Bilikis Bello, the Communications Executive of National Consultative Front, NCFront, the position of the political alliance and their ambition was disclosed to Nigerians.
The statement reads in part:
“The formal endorsement of the Labour Party by the ‘3rd Force’ Movement is also coming on the heels of the success of the recent meetings and activities of the separate Political Commissions of the NLC and the TUC with their Allies like the Femi Falana led The Political Alternative Movement, TPAM in the Civil Society, towards repositioning the Labour Party as the People’s Alternative Platform for rescuing Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections
“With the adoption of the Labour Party as our 3rd Force Mega Party penultimate week, the NCFront has since commenced the fusion of its structures of over 20 million members and supporters nationwide into the Labour Party. Consequently, our teeming members all over Nigeria and in Diaspora have been directed to register immediately as members of the Labour Party at all designated registration centres, both online and physically at the Ward Levels, to be able to take part in the ongoing electoral programmes of the Party for the 2023 elections.
“We also wish to state clearly that the NCFront is also particularly enthused by the non-partisan strategic nature of the Labour Party, as a People’s centred, Pan Nigerian political platform that can inclusively serve the interests of all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious and social inclinations; in uniting the country towards a momentous development that can accommodate and serve the diversities of Nigeria.
“Therefore, with the novel synergy between the Labour Party and the NCFront, the convening platform of the 3rd Force Movement, which is also today the largest political mass movement in the country, Nigerians can rest assured that the glorious future we all desire for our dear country, is now achievable by 2023, especially with the brewing implosion hovering over the ruling cartel of APC and PDP, which will soon burst into unpreventable disintegration after their party primaries.
“However, taking inspiration from the consummation of NCFront/Labour Party novel fusion, Leaders of the ‘3rd Force’ Movement across party lines, including Prof Attahiru Jega of the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, Prof Pat Utomi of the Labour Party and Senator Saidu Dansadau of the National Rescue Movement, NRM, among others have been mandated by the Leadership of the 3rd Force Movement and like-minded allied political Parties to drive a Mega Electoral Alliance of the 3rd Force Movement towards the adoption of a single line of candidates among seven allied Parties involved in the ‘3rd Force’ alliance talks for the 2023 Elections
“To this end, an inclusive Consensus Technical Committee to screen Presidential Candidates and other Candidates of ‘3rd Force’ allied Parties towards the adoption of a single line of candidates across all 2023 elections, is expected to be set up next month after the conclusion of all party primaries.
“Furthermore, the ‘3rd Force’ Mega Electoral Pact for the 2023 elections is proposed around an agreement on Labour Charter of Demand, EndSar Youths Demands and Constitutional Referendum for Nigeria, among others to be agreed upon as terms of the Alliance for the 2023 elections.
“Finally, the ‘3rd Force’ Coalition Leaders and Parties are expected to jointly address the Nation sometime this week to announce the new agenda to save Nigeria from imminent collapse and anarchy foisted by the ruling Parties in Nigeria.”
A man like the former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi no doubt has the credentials to boost the chances of the 3rd Force in the 2023 elections. This in clear indication explains why his resignation could have happened even at these wee hours of the PDP primary for the presidential ticket of the party.
He certainly may have received reasonable assurances of success in clinching the Labour Parties ticket to gun for the president as he pushes on to realise his personal dream of emerging as Nigeria`s president come 2023.
Written by Williams Ukonu Esq, lawyer and rights advocate, with offices in Lagos, Imo State and Abuja. He is a regular contributor on national issues and tweets @WilliamsUkonu.
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