A cursory survey of the possible voting pattern of the Yorubas suggests that the widespread support for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, may not translate to votes in Yoruba land. Over 40% of the Yorubas interviewed cited the way and manner supporters of Peter Obi go about their campaign as the reason they will be voting against the Labour Party… Exactly what is meant by the approach of Peter Obi’s supporters to campaign? What are they guilty of that others are free of?
At the root of the dissatisfaction is the attack on Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. It is argued that the Igbo’s hatred of Tinubu is a veiled animosity against the Yorubas. Though this is preposterous, to say the least, it behoves students of political science to seek an understanding of the misgivings within the context of our reality. More so, Peter Obi is the downtrodden’s surest belt for a quick determinate resolution of the national question.
It is argued that the attention devoted to running down Tinubu on the allegations of sucking Lagos state dry amounts to a campaign of calumny. These persons do not understand the reason Igboland is left plundered by Igbo politicians; to them, this smacks of hypocrisy and crying more than the bereaved. The average Yoruba electorate will therefore grudgingly vote for Tinubu instead of Peter Obi.
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Another revelation of the survey is the impact of Peter Obi’s ambiguity in respect of Biafra on his support base outside the southeast. There are concerns that Peter Obi will be a ready tool in the hands of pro-Biafrans.
Is it too late in the day to reverse this worrisome possibility? I do not think so. Peter Obi should come out clean on his stance with Biafra. Just as his supporters should be more respectful of other ethnic groups. The veiled insults, denigration and vituperations directed at Tinubu should be done without insulting the Yorubas as an ethnic group. The approach currently adopted endears Tinubu to the Yorubas and dissuades them from supporting him. Tinubu is erroneously presented as a victim who needs the people’s benevolence. What can be farther from the truth?
Voting to hurt the Igbos is not the way to go. Why cut the nose to spite the face? At the end of the day, the market does not discriminate against ethnic groups. It is about Nigeria and not the Igbos.
