By Gabriel Princewill-
Accomplished former British footballer, John Fashanu, (pictured)has today urged Nigerians to vote for Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, as the country goes to the polls to select its next president.
Obi, 61,- a businessman turned politician- has emerged as a serious contender in today’s all important elections in Africa’s most populous country, in which the other two parties- PDP and the APC, represented by Atiku Abubakar and Abiola Tinubu respectively, are the usual favourites.
However, Fashanu, who is head of Sun City security in Abuja Nigeria, has lamented the level of corruption in Nigeria, and called on the citizens of the country to come together and select Obi as their next president.
Fashanu said Obi has an impeccable character and track record, he said, makes him the most suited man to lead Nigeria and transform a country beset by a host of complex problems, and in need of urgent transformation.
Speaking to The Eye Of Media.Com, from Abuja where he just returned to from a recent Uk trip, Fashanu said: ” I think Nigerians need to come together and vote for Peter Obi because he has shown that he has what it takes to put the country in the right direction. All of the three candidates have their strengths, and I have met them all, but I think Peter Obi is the best man for the very important task of transforming Nigeria.
”Change won’t come overnight and Obi will likely need to invite Atiku and Tinubu in to also benefit from some of their ideas. These elections are so important and most Nigerians want the best guy for the job and this man has shown that he has what it takes to improve the country remarkably.
‘Obi is very clean, they have tried hard, and found nothing on him. He doesn’t give money out, nobody can accuse him of corruption, and he is the kind of leader Nigeria needs. He wants to serve the country, not himself, he has lots of empathy, these are the marks of a true leader.
‘Corruption is so endemic in the country and although one man alone cannot change Nigeria, Obi has shown he has the intelligence, honesty , and integrity to radically transform the country and put it on the world map as one to be reckoned with. A lot of Nigerians have suffered enough and want someone who can lead them into the light.
‘People are desperate for a change and we must come together and bring about this change .
Crediting Obi for inspiring him to open up his football academy in Abuja, Fashanu said: Obi inspired me many years ago to set up an academy for footballers, when he was governor of Anambra State. I pursued the vision and never looked back.
‘He has a genuine heart for Nigeria and is the one who I believe can fully restore dignity to the country, with everybody working together
Fashanu is conducting a talented scout for talented Nigerians in Anambra State in the coming weeks- driven by the spirit of change that spurred Obi to be revolutionary during his time as governor there.
Impressive
Peter Obi at 61 has an impressive resume that incontrovertibly surpasses those of his political rivals. An academic with multiple qualifications from various universities,
A successful Nigerian businessman and politician who served as governor of Anambra State from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and June 2007 to March 2014. He is said to have done a remarkable job during his tenure, leaving $150bn behind, and with no stain on his reputation.
In May 2022, Obi became the Labour Party nominee for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party when he was denied an opportunity to represent the party, allegedly because he was berating by the corrupt system of bribery.
Until Obi’s inclusion in the Labour Party, the party was a none entity with little or no clout at all. Obi’s presidential populist campaign has been noted for its support among many young Nigerians, who have been nicknamed “Obidients”.
Popular presidential candidate: Peter Obi
Obi’s third party candidacy which appeals to young voters discontent with the two major parties, has resulted in the biggest political movement in Nigerian history, who have warmed up to his message of prudence and accountability.
Yet in the perilous times that Nigeria finds itself, many of its citizens are prone to vote buying, their political persuasions largely hinging on remunerations rather than convictions.
Others will be driven by allegiances influenced by a myriad of factors, in some cases tribalistic affiliations one candidate or another.
Obi, an exemplary politician of substance, has gained the widespread support of voters, transforming the previously obscure Labour Party into a strong third force against two political heavyweights.
Prior to the official campaign, Obi’s supporters held a series of One Million Man Marches in several Nigerian cities including Makurdi, Calabar, Lafia, Port Harcourt, Afikpo, Owerri, Enugu, Auchi, Abuja, Kano, Ilorin, Abakaliki and Ibadan. The marches were not part were led by volunteer Obi supporters and not Obi’s in-house team or political party.
Fashanu, who is a strong supporter of Obi added: ”the commitment of many Nigerians to see Obi established as the next president is so strong that people are looking for the riggers, to identify them and stop them. Many people will do everything they can to stop rigging, but Nigerians are so corrupt that many feel the riggers will always find a way to distort the outcome in favour of their preferred candidate.
”But what happens to all the votes of supporters and money invested in campaigns when elections are rigged? We will have to see what happened, but we are all hoping Obi gets it
Rumours abound that rivals plan to rig the presidential elections, after a widely circulated audio clip allegedly featuring Atiku, Messrs Okowa and Tambuwal discussing a plan to rig the 2023 general election were denied by representatives of the PDP presidential candidate.
The bimodal (face and fingerprints) biometric voter accreditation system (BVAS) is expected to make these elections the most credible ever, but some critics dispute that the gurantee it offers is impenetrable.
Recent polls conducted have shown Obi to have a competitive edge over his veteran rivals, but to what extent those polls translate to actual votes remains to be seen.
Obi’s detractors have put the surge in optimism in a victory for Obi down to hype, insisting he lacks a coherent structure needed to outmuscle his two rivals who boast an enormous degree of wealth.
Thousands of international observers are already in Nigeria to examine the authenticity of the eventual election results expected early next week, but the country of over 300 million people will have only once chance to decide the future of their country.
The added weight of Fashanu’s recommendation could go a long way in fetching extra votes for Obi, giving the clout of the British born former footballer.