Victor EzejaFormer President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has finally endorsed Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, saying he is more qualified than others in the race.
This has laid to rest the months of permutations about which presidential candidate in the 2023 election Obasanjo is supporting.
In an open letter titled “My Appeal to all Nigerians Particularly Young Nigerians,” released on Sunday, January 1, 2023, the former president appealed to the youth to rise up and ensure that they make right choice of leadership in 2023 to rescue the country from the current challenges.
Obasanjo, who decried the poor state of security, economy and other challenges in Nigeria, urged citizens, especially youths to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments and consider the candidates based on their past antecedents, character, track record of performance in previous public positions, among other altruistic considerations necessary to get the best leader to salvage the nation.
He said that based on his experience and interaction with the candidates, he has proposed a model for assessing the candidates which he called TVCP.
“From interaction and experience, and as mentees as most of them claim, I will, without prejudice, fear or ill-will, make bold to say that there are four major factors to watch out for in a leader you will consider to hoist on yourself and on the rest of Nigerians in the coming election and they are what I call TVCP: Track record of ability and performance; Vision that is authentic, honest and realistic; Character and attributes of a lady and a gentleman who are children of God and obedient to God; and Physical and mental capability with soundness of mind as it is a very taxing and tasking assignment at the best of times and more so it is at the most difficult time that we are,” Obasanjo stated.
He further posited that the sense of entitlement (“It is my turn rule”) mentality is a wrong approach to seeking leadership of Nigeria at the moment, adding that candidates with such disposition cannot offer effective leadership for the interest of the whole country.
“Let me say straight away that ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitude and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now. They cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation and restoration of Nigeria.”
The former president explained that the type of government needed in the country at this point is such that “must have representation from all sectors of our national life- public, private, civil society, professional, labour, employers, and the diaspora. The solution should be in ‘we’ and ‘us’ and not in ‘me’ and ‘I”
He noted that none of the candidates like all human beings, is a messiah or let lone an angel but there are certain attributes of the candidates which on a comparative basis, citizens must “assess judiciously and choose wisely” during the polls.
He further stated that while the concept of “competence” is being touted as the best factor in choice of a candidate, people with “genuine competence” can be found in all sections of the country if a true search is conducted, pointing out that what is currently being paraded as competence is pure self-interest and nepotism.
He said 2023 presents a unique opportunity to correct past mistakes in choice of leadership and warned that those using the existing diversity to preach division are the real enemies of the nation.
Assessing the presidential candidates for the 2023 election, Obasanjo said with his level of experience as a former president and through his interaction with them and his observation, Obi of the Labour Party has an edge over others.
He said: “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.
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“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively.”
Speaking further about Obi Obasanjo said in the open letter: “One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost. In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”
He concluded by saying that despite the nation’s diversity, cooperation is key to having a prosperous country.
He warned Nigerian youths about the danger of towing the line of ethnic and religious segregation orchestrated by selfish political elites, urging them to use their power of numbers to make wise decision by choosing competent a leader in 2023.
“I challenge the youth to arise. Let nobody pull wool over your eyes to divide you and / or segregate you to make you underlings. Nigerian youth, wherever they come from, North or South, East or West need education which is now denied to over 20 million children; Nigerian youth also need skills, empowerment, employment, reasonably good living conditions, welfare and well – being.
“My dear young men and women, you must come together and bring about a truly meaningful change in your lives. If you fail, you have no one else to blame. Your present and future are in your hands to make or to mar. The future of Nigeria is in the same manner in your hands and literally so. If for any reason you fail to redeem yourself and your country, you will have lost the opportunity for good and you will have no one to blame but yourselves and posterity will not forgive you . Get up , get together , get going and get us to where we should be . And you , the youth , it is your time and your turn.’ Eyin Lokan ‘ ( Your turn ).
“The power to change is in your hands. Your future , my future , the future of grandchildren and great grandchildren is in your hands . Politics and elections are numbers game . You have the numbers , get up , stand up and make your numbers count.”
“Let me say it again, loud and clear , Nigeria has no business with insecurity, poverty, insurgency, banditry, unemployment, hunger, debt, division and disunity . We are in these situations because advertently or inadvertently, our leaders have made the choices,” the former president added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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