At 65, Peter Obi has refused to evolve into full maturity, by Kola Amzat 

In a few days’ time, Mr. Peter Obi will clock 65, having berthed on the earth surface on July 19, 1961. Of course, this should be a milestone in the earthly sojourn of a human being. By all standards, it should be a remarkable accomplishment worthy of wide celebration.

However, it’s not a question of age, neither the educational attainment nor political accomplishments at this age. It’s simply an issue bothering on maturity, discerning heart, wisdom, as well as necessary temperament that are supposed to go alongside this remarkable age, all attributes that must be constantly on display by anyone who providence has granted opportunity to attain the age.

By all accounts, Mr.Obi has continually proved through some of his public pronouncements and submissions that he is not in consonance with the demands of this age.

Indeed, with his infantile and sometimes pedestrian submissions in recent times, the vast majority of Nigerians are beginning to question how he managed to navigate his way through to ascend the Anambra state governor’s office, where he reigned for 8 years.

Without any iota of doubt, his public comments on a wide range of issues have not been constructive, salutary, statesmanship, patriotic and inspiring.

For emphasis in recent times, four very sensitive public comments he uttered which are capable of inciting the Nigerian public against the government, as well as precipitate violence of monumental dimension has given him out as unworthy of the topmost office he had held in the past, as well as undeserving the presidency office he’s been laboring for.

Below are his recent submissions for the readers’ attention.

Shortly after NDC-the hijacked party named him as the party’s presidential flag bearer, Mr. Obi mischievously declared that he’s at a loss why the convicted Nnamdi kanu should be in prison. He went further by demanding that the acclaimed IPOB leader must be released immediately.

Of course, he wasn’t bothered by several atrocities that the Law Courts considered for convicting the loquacious Igbo self-style man, especially his murderous and very violent utterances visited on the defenseless and hapless people of the South East Geo-political zone, as well as his widely reported DISREGARD AND CONTEMPT for the office of President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

With all intents and purposes, Obi’s destructive comment in this instance was calculated and orchestrated to humiliate and cast serious doubt at the nation’s judiciary, by subjecting the third arm of government to public opprobrium and condemnation.

Not too long after this, the former Anambra governor was at his mischievous best when he declared that he would be receptive to enter into negotiation with the banditry and insurgency groups if elected, an outdated, archaic and counter-productive model that would achieved absolutely nothing, other than to continually embolden and strengthen the band of criminals in their nefarious trade in mindlessly subjecting the Nigerian people to horrendous carnage, perpetual fear and trepidation.

Recently, Peter Obi triggered false alarm with his juvenile and pedestrian submission that the president should resign, citing economic, security and socio-challenges, obviously feigning ignorance of the frantic efforts of government to end the scourge of insecurity with Trillions of Naira that has been deployed and still being committed to acquire modern and sophisticated armory aimed at equipping security team to totally extinguish criminality in all its forms, as well as the recent collaboration with United States authority for the same purpose.

He also pretended not to acknowledge the multi-dimensional reforms of the government which encompasses tax & fiscal, oil & gas, education, infrastructures, social investment schemes etc, including the humongous allocations to state and LGCs, a strategic initiative aimed at opening up the Nigerian grassroots to unprecedented developments- security, healthcare, education, infrastructures, socio-cultural etc, all intentioned to ultimately improve the welfare and well-being of the populace.

Few days ago, the petulant Peter Obi was in town once again alleging that his business interests have been subject to deliberate and calculated target by government, a development he claimed was aimed at frustrating his presidential bid in the forthcoming polls.

The NDC presidential candidate went further that consequent upon the political persecution and harassment, he might not be able to participate in the forthcoming polls.

Obi also claimed that a recent incident at an Airport when his car was singled out for lock amongst other cars packed, was an evidence of harassment and political persecution by the government. He mischievously failed to disclose to Nigerians that his car was locked because he breached the Airport parking regulations and rules.

Meanwhile, the government spokesperson has promptly denied all Obi’s allegations, describing them as another attempts to whip up unnecessary sentiments and attract undue sympathy, as well as distracting attention of the populace from his growing credibility and integrity deficit.

Meanwhile, the crux of this piece: why would Obi opined that he’s been singled out for persecution and undue harassment?

As far as 2027 general elections is concerned, his candidature constitutes no threat whatsoever to the ruling party.

Besides, there is even a pall of uncertainty bothering on participation in the general elections itself hovering over NDC-the hijacked party that has chosen him as the presidential flag bearer.

For the avoidance of doubt, NDC is a fringe party absolutely lacking the following political fundamentals-necessary structure for political competitiveness, logistical support, national appeals, and more importantly, required wherewithal with reference to war-chest to prosecute gigantic political project as presidential election.

Where would Obi’s votes come from?

He’s aware that he has almost zero follower-ship in South West zone. Of course, his political fortunes has been thoroughly decimated and seriously waned in South East, with the incursion of APC in all the 5 states that made up the zone, and with the ruling party’s governors and top ministers who are of zone’s descent sandwiching him.

Of course, South South remains a no go area for NDC and its presidential candidate. His electoral fortunes there is also almost zero.  

The people of the North Central zone where he recorded reasonable mileage during 2023 elections have become wiser. The electorates in the zone have come to realisation of the fact that he hoodwinked them with religious and ethnic sentiments.

The ex-Anambra governor has no support whatsoever in North East zone, and could only earn the votes of only one Local Government Council in North West zone where Rabiu Kwakwanso, his vice-presidential candidate comes from, in the entire 44 LGCs that made up Kano state.

So why all this fuss? Why is Obi running helter skelter, whipping up unnecessary sentiments and emotions in attempts to continually hoodwink Nigerian people to vote for him?

Why is he moving from one state to another to cause confusion and heat up the polity?

Why is he continually making provocative pronouncements aimed at inciting the public against the president who is indeed focus, resourceful, developmental, visionary and absolutely consumed with his agenda to initiate reforms in all facets ultimately for prosperous Nigeria?

Nigerians of goodwill should arise and affirm to NDC presidential candidate to immediately stop this continual petulance and un-statesmanship behaviour that has been his trade mark and stock-in-trade, otherwise he would continue to be a subject of ridicule, scorn and embarrassment.                   

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.