The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has excited the Obedience community and his admirers with several strong declarations coming off his electioneering campaign speeches in recent days.
In a recent town hall meeting organized by Channels Tv in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory, the former Anambra state governor has made a number of tough political declarations that observers agree could only come from a candidate speaking from a position of high confidence.
In the townhall meeting in which he and his running mate Datti Ahmed Baba were in attendance, the presidential hopeful made several critical and far-reaching political statements bordering on fuel subsidy, agitation by separatist groups, corruption and organized crime, as well as what he termed confusion in the administration of the ports.
The Labour Party flagbearer whose ambition to wrestle power from the ruling APC in the 2023 general elections has been heavily buoyed by the recent endorsements coming from notable high-profile political leaders from around the country, has continued to talk tough about his intensions to confront headlong the nation’s different socio-political problems.
As the smoke of confusion raised by the January 1st endorsement by the former president, Dr Olusegun Obasanjo continues to rattle the rival parties, the leader of PANDEF, Dr Edwin Clark followed in the same direction of openly instructing Nigerians to cast their votes for Mr. Peter Obi.
Before the current lineup of support for Obi, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere had blatantly refused to support Tinubu of the APC, pledging instead their support for Obi. In the same vein, the governor of the north-central state of Benue, Samuel Otom while addressing newsmen about two weeks ago reeled out the qualities that set Mr Obi apart from others, and prayed for God to bless his presidential ambition.
But while interacting with Nigerians during the town hall meeting, the presidential front runner promised that he will ensure that subsidy is removed in the petroleum sector as planned by the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, if he is elected in next month’s polls.
“I can assure you, it will go immediately. Subsidy – I’ve said it before – is an organised crime and I will not allow it to stay a day longer.
“What they’re telling you is not what it is. Half of what is being mentioned is not a subsidy. First is that we consume the quantity that is not supposed to be consumed here. We are the same population as Pakistan. They consume below 50 per cent of what we consume.
“So, the first half, I will remove it and give those people who are drinking it water – because that’s what they’re supposed to drink – so we can save the money,” the LP flagbearer stressed.
He said that no right-thinking government would spend money on subsidies while neglecting qualitative education and good healthcare facilities.
On the issue of secessionist agitation in the country, the LP candidate said, “we are in a democratic dispensation; you govern by discussing, you govern by consensus. So, I will sit down and discuss with every agitator without exception of name.
“We must use carrot and stick (approach).
“I will discuss with those who want to discuss. You have to look at what is causing agitations today; it is issues of injustice, issues of where there is no fairness, issues to do with poverty, unemployment.”
He believes that when the government begins to address such issues by discussing and engaging citizens, by bringing them to the round table, agitators will not see the reason to foment chaos, because the government will make effort to meet their needs.
Mr Obi also strongly spoke against the present inefficiency of Ports’ infrastructure and services. He said that he would dismantle the ‘confusion in the Administration of the Ports’ and ensure the country begins to work again.
He promised to remove all the people feeding off the present inefficiency of the port, and allow the private sector to take charge of the building and managing of the ports in collaboration with the government.
With regards to the persistent epileptic power sector which has contributed greatly to crippling the nation’s economy, Mr Obi promised to adopt the models in South Africa and Egypt in tackling the issues of electricity in Nigeria.
He said, “We have to open up as South Africa has done. They have power issues like us, even [though] they are 60 million and they are generating almost 40-something-thousand, they declared [a state of] emergency and said anybody can generate up to 100,000 megawatts without a license,”
“Egypt did the same thing. Egypt had about 20,000. One of their studies showed that power is a critical issue. Today, Egypt is generating almost 50,000. In fact, Egypt is exporting power to Europe. If these things can be done around us – South Africa and Egypt – why not Nigeria,” he added.
One area where Mr. Peter Obi has obviously succeeded in cornering his opponents is the area of corruption. When it comes to talks about corruption and stealing government funds, the Labour Party flagbearer has always had the upper hand, and this has indeed helped to put him above other candidates in the admiration of the people.
Hear him: “It’s good that when my opponents talk. Let us talk about corruption. One of the things that are killing this country today is Corruption Perception Index, which is measured by how you manage public assets, nepotism, how you share the land, how you manage your money, and everything.
“I’ve challenged everyone to say, ‘Go and see whether there is anywhere a kobo of Anambra State money is missing.’ Saving has now become an issue. When people have stolen all the money and impoverished the country and you are now questioning a man who left the money without anybody telling me to leave it and go,” he added.
During his recent campaign in Ekiti State, Peter Obi called on Nigerians to pay back the corrupt politicians in their coin by rejecting moneybag politicians in the February 25 election. He claimed that moneybag politics have brought poverty to Nigerians among other vices.
The audacity with which Mr. Obi has used to address some issues in recent times is indeed gladding to the heart of Obedient faithfuls and even the neutrals who are beginning to be bought over by the charismatic carriage of the former Anambra State governor.
A few months ago, when he was asked to explain how he would tackle insecurity if elected into power as the president, Obi responded by saying that not even at gunpoint would he divulge the plans he has in store for dealing with insecurity until he gets there.
But as it stands now, he has boldly come out to state categorically that he shall locate the groups who have been identified as the brains behind some conditions of insecurity and approach them with carrot and stick.
The confidence is indeed high and the man has started blowing hot air!
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