By Uche Wisdom Durueke
Envy is a huge destroyer. It also blinds. The conspiracy against Peter Obi’s nomination as the running mate of Atiku Abubakar is a matter of envy. Let me ask: What are their knocks on Peter Obi?
I don’t like posting or commenting on political party issues. However, when truth is about to be buried, one is constrained to rise to say no. This is to ensure that truth is given its prime status.
For this post, I want to quickly state that Peter Obi is not infallible. He is human. I will not state here that he has not made mistakes. No! However, he is better and ahead of those throwing pebbles on him. What are the records of his accusers? With respect, those members of his party who are aghast with his nomination are akin to fifth columnists. They have their own hidden agenda which is mercantilist in nature.
You may not be aware that Peter Obi though no longer the Governor of Anambra State, he has been putting back to the society: empowering communities, schools and groups.
The truth remains that Peter Obi has the record of being among the three best Governors, if not the best, that Nigeria has produced since 1999. He is intelligent, hardworking, humble, simple, not wasteful and has integrity. Those politicians trying to disparage him are envious. Here is a man that governed Anambra State for eight (8) years without borrowing. He gave the State a beautiful and functional road network. He connected the various communities in the State, equipped schools in the State, provided supporting fund for community development to communities that avail themselves of the opportunity and left billions in the coffers of the State when he handed over. If you visit Onitsha today, you will still behold his handiwork while in office as Governor. He gave Onitsha a face-lift.
Let the Governors spinning the issue of not having been consulted before his nomination put forth credible proof that they consulted the communities of their Deputies and their political parties before nominating their Deputies. For those of them in business, they are playing a protectionist business game. They want to be in the good books of the Federal Government to access better patronage and escape certain searchlights.
My post is not about Atiku/Obi ticket or PDP. It is about the gentle man, Peter Obi. Peter Obi is among the few politicians in this country presently who will take on issues and not persons. This is the reason for this post. He has great ideas that will benefit the country, if he is in government.
In all, let the votes of the people decide in 2019. I wish all the candidates who have emerged the best. It should not be about party but about the country and its future.
Uche Wisdom Durueke is the President of Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO. He is a pro-democracy campaigner and civil rights lawyer of note in Nigeria.