When Mr. Peter Obi dumped the People`s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Labour Party (LP), he left with so much more than his ambition to serve Nigeria as her next president after the disastrous tenure of the current occupier of the Aso Rock Villa, which he now seeks to actualize under the Labour Party.
Indications are beginning to emerge that Mr. Peter Obi may have also left with the peace and tranquility in the PDP. Obi`s dumping of the PDP directly or directly contributed to the loss of the post-convention jump in approval, which the party would have ordinarily enjoyed without the loss of her most cherished member with capacity to salvage the party.
Therefore, following the loss of Mr. Obi, the party has not only suffered in public rating, but also may now even be risking a possible defeat in the presidential election and most other national and statewide elections.
The signs of the rejection of the PDP and his candidate – Alhaji Atiku is becoming very clear, if the various purse coming up at all levels in some sections of the country is anything to go by.
The former Vice President whose image have suffered so much dent and damage following his several decamping from one party to another over the years seems to be in for greater shock as the campaign season sets in fully.
Atiku Abubakar has been so desperate to become president and for this desperation has taking many steps for which many bookmakers in the political circle finds him to be more of a liability to any political party.
Most of the very obvious weaknesses of the former Vice President were overlooked in the last presidential election when he incidentally was also the flag bearer of the same PDP. They were not overlooked out of love for his person, but certainly due to the credibility of his running mate.
Mr. Peter Obi was the reason for this obvious disregard for the flaws that his boss – Alhaji Abubakar Atiku had so much in stock.
Another reason was the fact that his major challenger – Muhammadu Buhari was also a pariah to most Nigerians. There was this obvious urgency to get Buhari out of power, for which reason, Nigerians were ready to vote anyone but Buhari again.
While these two reasons counted for Atiku`s momentum in 2019, there is not doubt that of the reasons, Peter Obi`s credibility and likeability was unarguably the outstanding factor that made the difference for the former Vice President.
However, unlike in 2019, things are entirely different this time. The 2023 election is a war with different ramifications for the former Vice President. The factors that counted for his strongest showing in 2019, which was his best so far in his bid for the office of the president, all count against him in the present race.
First, President Buhari is not on the ballot. To the glory of God almighty the constitutional term limit have ensured that the curse called Muhammadu Buhari will be lifted over Nigeria come 2023.
Come May 30, 2023 any mention of President Buhari without the prefix “former” will be the real “blasphemy” that most Nigerians may be willing to kill for. Associating Buhari with Aso Rock after May 29th 2023 will be a desecration of the sanctity of the office of the president of Nigeria.
That is the extend of the celebration of Buhari`s departure from power by most Nigerians. That is also, how much the country will be grateful to the 1999 constitution even with its numerous flaws.
It has at least saved the country from the continuation of the present carnage and imbecility of leadership overseen by the Daura born general.
The second and most obvious reason why 2023 holds a big challenge for Atiku and PDP is the loss of Mr Peter Gregory Obi, who now flies the flag of the Labour Party.
Mr. Obi whose personality was the one singular reason why 2019 was Atiku last and only chance to win the presidential election is no longer in Atiku`s team.
In 2023, Nigerians have a chance for the first time to go for the real deal – Mr. Obi. An Atiku who was only a necessary evil in 2019, without which we could not have had an Obi.
A vote for the former Vice president was a vote for Obi, which he end by proxy. Nigerians did not need Alhaji Atiku Abubakar then and most certainly does not him now either.
Therefore, for Atiku there will be no hiding place for the Waziri of Adamawa nor will there be a place for the People`s Democratic Party in Nigeria`s South, and especially the South East, which the party have chosen to ridicule and rubbish as mere political trash.
These and more are the obvious challenges facing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the run up to the much anticipated presidential election.
Written by Ken Obi, a Clariform Staff Writer. Ken can be reached on ken.obi@clariform.com.
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