Politics in any part of the world has never been a game of the faint-hearted but the rugged, rootless and the most brutal of humans in a climb where clinching to power is a major priority. I'm always a realist and we must be able to bring in empiricism and rationalism in order to diagnose this particular subject matter but I can tell you for free that Nigerian politics is empiricism based more than rationalism. Until we get to that level, national politics will never be about the ideal thing but what is obtainable.

There is not doubt about the aural that surrounds Peter Obi's personality.It will take me pages to highlight why Obi is the best man for the job. For once in the history of this country, Peter Obi has presented himself to be a type of leader that the 21st century Nigeria hunger for in this wobbling economic developments that has rendered a lot of Nigerian youth jobless, naira valueless and dreams achieve-less. Just like the likes of Okonjo Iweala, Akinwumi Adesina, Peter Obi is another economic genus that falls into that category. However, just like l said earlier, Nigeria politics is empiricist inclined..

Whosoever that adviced Peter Obi to abandon the ship never meant well for him. Sometimes you get to do the wrong thing in order to do the right thing, it's not totally foolishness. To be a good leader, you must be a good follower. Peter Obi had a best opportunity to be Atiku's running mates had it been he stayed back in the ship to support the captain; Atiku which may have come in a disguise of stepping down for him in the primaries. However, anybody who ever thought Peter Obi can win PDP primaries including himself must be politically naive or wobbling is self deceit. Obi plays a self style politics without considering many variables in a boisterous Nigerian political terrain. Orji Uzo Kalu who foresaw this had decided to support a North East candidate with a proper understanding that SE has a little chance to be Nigerian president come 2023 and good chance in 4 or 8 years time but Peter Obi in his wisdom couldn't come to terms with this singular fact. Politics requires consultations, friendship, strategy, funds and synergy (lobbying) etc to execute over time. Obi self style of politics which revolves only around his personality is not enough in this game. You don't have to be stingy to spend in politics. Aside that, I hear people complain that Igbos don't support their own but I put it to you that Peter Obi self style politics didn't consider the enormous political powers the governors; custodians of party structure neither has he a mentor. You can't tell me that out of all the five Igbo governors, Peter Obi failed to have even one by his side on the race for the presidency. Peter Obi has no allies from the South-South to South West to North or the Middle belt even among the South East and you tell me this mission is possible.

Just like Buhari failed overtime, built his cult , partnered with allies to become Nigeria president, Peter Obi must be willing to go the same route to build Labour Party that will become a national force especially among the youths, have people win political seats at all level and then by 2031, he can give himself a good shot at presidency while learning along the way.
This post can't go without some rebuttal but before you do, ask yourself these questions.

1 Do Peter Obi have any political structure to push his vision?.
2. They say you need a father's shoulder to see farther. Atiku is a master of his own with a lot of friends and massive investment on his political structure over time. Likewise the likes of Tinubu. Can that be said of Peter Obi?
3. Politics has been a game of cash cow and we shouldn't feign ignorance to this fact. Politics involves funds, logistics, lobbying etc How much funds have Peter Obi mobilized to achieve this dream.
4. First time factor. No matter how much Peter Obi claims to know Nigeria politics, the fact still remains that at every stage in life one gets to, it requires its lesson note.This is the first time Peter obi is making an outing to woo delegates to be Nigerian president and I believe that he must have realised that he made a lot of mistakes and probably will have to implement the lessons next time .
5. Internet has made socialisation easy and we have millions of youths living in the space but l must say, that an average Nigeria youth lacks the rudiment of politics which is having the basic PVC and willing to use it. I'm not blaming them though due to the selection process of Nigeria politics but how many of them are willing to make good use of it for the sake of what they believe in, mobilize for Obi and not tempted with bribing?

Kalu Chima
Political Observer