Nigeria Decides 2023: Obi's Online Presence, A Structure, or a Destruction

Even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not lift the ban on the political campaign until September 28, 2022, as the 2023 General Elections get closer, the presidential candidates of each political party have started to showcase what they can offer. Peter Gregory Obi, a successful businessman and two-term governor of Anambra state, is a well-known presidential candidate who has attracted the interest of the public, particularly the youth.

Many have given up on Nigeria politics because they believe that it is deeply rooted in corruption and every politician is the same but with the appearance of Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Nigerians especially the youth believe that they already have the right man for the job without the need to look further.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress have been Nigeria’s only two political parties since 1999, but some Nigerians think it’s time they give another one a try. Others contend that personality counts more than party affiliation and that parties are only a vehicle via which political candidates can reach their desired positions. Is this fully accurate? Can a political party assist a candidate without expecting anything in return? This is extremely improbable to occur.

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Given that the majority of Peter Obi’s supporters are young people, who are known for being the most active social media users, his presence on these platforms is noteworthy. They have a strong regard for their political candidate and will confront anyone who challenges him (Peter Obi). Peter Obi has acquired a lot of youths’ support as the general elections get closer and have them singing his name with a quest for a new Nigeria. How many of those young people have voter’s cards, to start with? 12.29 million registrations had been completed as of July 31st, 2022, according to a report from INEC. This indicates that the nation’s voter list, which had 84 million registered voters as of 2019, now includes more than 12 million new eligible voters, out of which the youth accounted for 8.78 million (71.4%).

Given that young people make up the majority of Peter Obi’s followers, this is a good development. The question of how many of those registered voters will pick up their voter’s card and turn up at the polling unit on election day, however, arises.

Meanwhile, Thousands of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi’s supporters who called themselves One million-man march shut down Port Harcourt on Friday, August 26th. The supporters, who were clad in white shirts and caps, marched along Ikwerre Road until coming to an end at Isaac Adaka Boro Park. Due to the march, many drivers took detours and other routes became congested. The majority of the fans were young people, who sang and danced the entire time. They carried posters outlining the nation’s problems with leadership and urging Obi to fix them.

Although, some people believe that peter obi’s supporters are toothless dogs and all they can do is rant that the real election takes place at the polling unit and the youth will be nowhere to be found once the time comes. To win an election, one needs a strong and well-organized structure. Peter Obi has been a strong candidate online compared to other candidates but online voters can only give you the bragging rights not help you win on the real battlefield,

The fact that Obi’s strengths are visible to his opponents can be used against him and turned into his weakness. Politics is a game of strategy and others might be hiding their weapon only to bring them out when sharpened. After all, Politics is a game of numbers and the man with the highest number will win.