No man in given a supernatural power to stop a man or project whose time has come. Humans can merely try to move back the hands of the clock but not a destiny signed, sealed and delivered by God. That’s the story of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 2023 presidential election and who wins become an unending debate. Or talk of the town, if you like..
To the electoral saboteurs, the only way to reinvent the wheel is going dirty, fighting with all weapons, either conventional or unconventional. It is fast becoming a battle to gore the oxen and even the riders. These dare-devil warriors have become mudslingers and arsonists razing the offices and equipment of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. All these are done in a bid to stop a child of destiny whose time has come. But this man cuts a picture of modern day Joseph in the Holy Book whose brothers and enemies crumbled for him to save and liberate his people. Not even Potiphar’s wife could kill the dream.
Suffice to conclude here that these enemies of progress are not comfortable with democratic changes through the ballot boxes. Their mission is to destroy the facilities put in place by INEC to turn the election to war or scare away the electorate.
But unknown to these sons of the guns, Nigerians have made up their minds on who the next President of Nigeria is come February 25, 2023. Nigerians are resolute and ready to cast their votes, and also secure the votes. Nigerians are poised to make bold statement with their PVCs in order to enhance the success of the elections.
My candid advice is that INEC should re-open the window for registered voters to collect their PVCs if possible till the last day before the elections because this part of the process must not be over regulated so that it will not be counter-productive.
In the build up to 2023 general elections as at the last count, about 18 presidential candidates will be jostling for the golden key to Aso Rock. While we salute the courage of the other presidential candidates for coming out to contest for the presidency, not many of them are known by Nigerians.
There are three names dominating the social space but one is very formidable and unarguably top contender. While the other two were previously on same party and contested as the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party in 2019 but they were roundly beaten and dazed by the political firepower of APC and Buhari.
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, now on different platforms -PDP and Labour Party, respectively. This is highly commendable as it’s an opportunity to test their individual capacity politically. It’s also interesting to know that while Atiku Abubakar of PDP is faced with the battle of survival as a result of betrayals, unwarranted manipulation and the robust challenges from the G-5/Integrity Group, it is almost clear that the Adamawa-born politician has bitten far more than he can chew.
The coast is also foggy for the Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi who decamped from APGA, the regional party that gave him recognition ab initio. He rode through the APGA crest to power and fame as Anambra State governor for eight years. Obi’s dream is power at the centre and he sees the LP as the vehicle that will take him there.
This is laughable! How can a party without political structure suddenly become a reliable vehicle? Certainly, this is a vehicle without engine and also destined to end the journey half way or at the precipice.
It’s gratifying to know that the momentum is nosediving as we approach the February D-Day. While Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are struggling to find their feet, the front runner seems not to be perturbed, looking unstoppable. Asiwaju Tinubu seems to be telling them ‘Catch me if you can’ Tinubu has brought glamour into electioneering processes rather than brigandage that characterized our elections in the past. He has revolutionized our campaign processes, reaching out to groups, market women, farmers, Christians, Muslims, entrepreneurs and many more.
More than 20,000 groups across the country are canvassing for votes for Jagaban which is unmatched by any other candidate. The 80 pages of APC/Tinubu manifestos now referred to as the Marshall Plan for Nigeria’s evolution as super power in the world, is the master stroke..
His ability to hunt for the best talents across the country and work as a team player has already positioned him as the next president of Nigeria ahead of others. A man who is noted for his Midas touch has once again come up with his social contract with the people of Nigeria as contained in his manifestos.
Nigerians can’t wait to begin to have a bite of the dividends of Democracy and Asiwaju is ready to lead from the front. He has become the proverbial unstoppable moving train.
Not even attempts by the Arise TV owner, Nduka Obaigbena and his media mercenaries headed by PDP’s Reuben Abati and others can dare it.
Just the final words: I think it is high time we jettisoned politics of bitterness and mudslinging. The political space is big enough for all the candidates to advertise their achievements and capabilities.
.Otunba Sola Olatunji , Chairman of the Ikale Heritage Development Association, writes from Lagos
