Before 2022 the Labour Party only existed in the records as _one of the other parties_, the insignificant others which complete the INEC's list of _also-rans_. They exist for the purpose of collecting statutory stipends from our coffers. But for the LP not anymore. To single-handedly turn a relatively inactive political party into an erupting political volcano in a matter of months is a feat not before achieved by any politician in this country. It is a remarkable first in our history.
And the phenomenon called Peter Obi continues to score many other firsts. It is a burgeoning record.
For the first time in Nigeria, and possibly Africa, a candidate's campaign has grown into an undeniable movement across their nation. Obi's candidacy is receiving endorsements at a rate faster and more encompassing than we have ever known in our political history. So far we know of the Middle Belt Forum, leading to the LP commencing their campaign in Jos; Afenifere, perhaps the most influential socio-political group in Yoruba land. Others include the Northern Elders Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, labour unions, and youths across the land.
The latest in the series of endorsements is former President Olusegun Obasanjo yielding his exalted seat to Obi at a social function to symbolically present him to Nigerians as the next President.
For the first time, private, if you like ordinary, Nigerian citizens have levied themselves to hold rallies nationwide for a political candidate. For the first time, the loudest voluntary intention by diasporan Nigerians to fund the campaign of a candidate has been heard, leading to a flurry of reactions as to the legality of that intention. When Buhari latched on to this in the past and went ahead to nominate a bank account, little interest in the diaspora project was shown, and there were no loud outcries.
Recently, a cream of the Nigerian entertainment industry under the auspices of Celebrities for Peter Obi, CEPO, including the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the irrepressible Patience Ozokwor, Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Afamefuna Klint Igwemba (aka Klint Da Drunk), to mention only a few celebrities, not only endorsed him but joined the effort to raise funds for 40m votes for Obi's election. Obi support groups have sprung up like wild mushrooms across the land. The _Movement_ is like a contagious fever right now, and the endorsements are flying in from left and right in a manner never before known. It is a huge first.
Here's another first. He turned 61 on the 19th of July 2022. While Nigerian cities erupted in voluntary street parties to celebrate, Obi cut his cake with disabled citizens, once again showcasing his soft spot for people.
For the first time, a candidate has brought to the fore the sacrosanctity of physical fitness as a requirement to govern. Obi's octagenerian competitors, and even their septuagenarian countetparts, who have suppressed their ages with clean- shaved heads and make-beliefs, are having to fight their ages much harder.
They're now forced to show they can workout in gyms, and dance comic dances to demonstrate their vigor and fitness.
For the first time, the social media is exerting unprecedented pressure on political discourse.
For the first time, political pundits have become unsure of their erstwhile opinions and influence on political bets.
For the first time, entrenched political buccaneers, who had hitherto seized the nation by its jugular, are jittery with the steady rise of a candidate 'without structure,' a political 'minion with no base,' a 'mere social media creation.' Their language is failing them, their incoherence telling.
For the first time, the phrase 'competence and capacity' has entered the nation's political lexicon, and assumed a new and significant place among the qualifications for political office, even though some politicians continue to define it as the command of bales of ill-gotten money. People are not only talking about it, they're passionately touting it as a requirement, and Obi has something to do with it.
I surmise that, also, money might just be about to fail traditional Nigerian politics for the first time.
Hallowed values and ideals and intellectual engagement are rising above the power of money. That is refreshing. I just can't wait to hear the front-running candidates engage one another in organized debates.
What's their plan to rescue the country from terrorists? What's their plan to stop the convulsion of the economy, to stem the freewheeling of the Naira into oblivion? What's their response to the clamour to restructure the country? What are they going to do about the more than 20m children who are out of school, especially in the North? Ideas and credible assurances and strategies are going to be an important capital for winning going forward. I can't wait.
For the first time in Nigeria, a candidate's political campaign has metamorphosed into a national cry, a metamorphosis that is beyond its creator's imagination. Opponents of Peter Obi may despise this emergence, even deny it, but their denials only reinforce the reality. It doesn't look like it will fizzle out anytime soon.
And the denial by his competitors of Obi's magical presence on the political turf would suffer a crushing blow from another first. At the PDP's campaign launch in Uyo in October, crowds mobilized for the event at the prestigious Uyo stadium could be heard chanting _kererenke Obi_, the man's campaign swan song. This has not happened before.
For the first time, voters' cards have become prized acquisitions, weapons of change, and again Obi has something to do with it.
And, going by the body language of the INEC, for the first time, although this is not in any way attributable to Obi, but certainly a point worthy of mention, election rigging seems destined to have a bad day in 2023, and this should be good for Obi and Nigerians. Unrepentant election riggers are losing their breath. They seem to have reached their wits end conjuring new ways to rig or upturn INEC's anti-rigging systems. They're jumping like shrimps out of water. Look, they're cursed!
On a lighter note, for the first time, an old English word is set to lose both its spelling and meaning, not just in Nigeria but worldwide, and Obi has something to do with it. The word 'Obedient' will never be the same, however hard it tries. Perhaps 'Useful' also.
For the first time in our political contests, polls have taken on a significant and hard-to-knock-off role. However much the disfavoured mock them, they grab attention, make many smirk, and many groan.
The NOI poll ordered by ANAP Foundation first stirred the hornet's nest when it announced Peter Obi leading the major contestants with 21% of the votes as against Tinubu and Atiku with 13% each, and Kwankwaso with 3%. They'd predicted a Buhari emergence both in 2015 and 2019 and were right.
Not used to pollsters speaking too loudly about Nigerian elections and their own chances, the losers cried foul and kicked plenty of dust in the air. But before the dust could settle on that maligned projection, another poll commissioned by the San Francisco based company, Bloomberg, staked its international reputation on its eve-of-campaigns poll result that gave Obi a whopping 87.9% lead over Tinubu, 8.5%, and Atiku, 1.8%. And Bloomberg is not known to stutter or stammer when it comes to informing. Talk about the gnashing of teeth and ruffled feathers in many quarters.
Another first. In place of the traditional singing of the national anthem, and perfunctory march-pasts in stadia across the nation, Peter Obi became a national symbol on independence day 2022. It's like his enthronement as president has become the latest definition of Nigeria's independence. Why so? Because the masses' cup of suffering is so full they can't take in more. They've looked for an outlet to release their pent up emotions and have suddenly found it in Peter Obi. At once Obi has been crowned the consumate messiah and deliverer. I feel for the man who is digging in his heels himself. "Hold me accountable," he says to Nigerians.
Given where Nigeria is at, the burden on Obi's shoulders is, simply put, unimaginable. He's conscripted, and he knows it. He can't run away now. He doesn't have the legs, for matters have gone beyond his personal wishes. He's not his own anymore, he's the people's property. Indeed, 'hold me accountable' is another first in Nigeria, a promise no other office seeker has ever made to the people with such sincerity and commitment. "We're not like the others; we mean business," Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi's running mate, assures.
Not since the time of Moshood Abiola has a candidate emerged who stole the hearts and minds of a vast chunk of the Nigerian populace. The optics from the current political evolution open completely new vistas we haven't seen before. Will Peter Obi be the first person of Igbo extraction to become democratically elected as Executive President and Commander in Chief of Nigeria? It is looking increasingly likely by the day.
Nevertheless, perceptible anxiety persists in the Obidients' camp. Will the feverish Obi crowd also feverishly go after picking their PVCs, and even more feverishly troop out to vote in February, and stay put until results are counted and openly proclaimed and transmitted at the polling units? Will Obi score another first in the number of votes he will garner in the 2023 presidential election? They're nagging thoughts. The least we can do is cross our fingers, or, as the people's lingo goes, wait and see.
But one thing the current feverishness guarantees is its bandwagon effect. People like to identify with what's current, what's trending. They don't want to be left out of unfolding history. The Obidient spirit is catching many people, some off-guard.
_*Chris Ekpekurede*_ is an author and public commentator. For more of his articles visit https://www.chrisekpekurede.com)
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