Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has suddenly taken a liking to Islam. The politician who infamously urged the church to ‘take back your country’ is now openly associating with the mosque. Seizing the opportunity of Ramadan, he has embarked on a PR blitz, which has seen him share a spoon with a minor during the break of the day’s fast and feature as a special guest at a lecture in Agege, Lagos.
The discerning know it is all politics. It’s a strategy no different from his church tour in the days leading to the 2023 presidential election. He knelt on every altar and attended every convention, including those of the white garment Aladura churches. What he began in Anambra, where critics allege that he perpetuated Catholic dominance in power to the exclusion of Anglicans, was mainstreamed throughout the entire country. In every Christian gathering of two or three, Obi was there, quick to his knees, always ready to shed a tear or two for the Christian cause.
Unsurprisingly, he became the ‘Christian candidate’. Pastors were his most passionate campaigners. One of them was allegedly caught in a dangerously divisive phone conversation with him. In the leaked conversation, Obi allegedly demanded the targeting of Christian voters in swing states. The term ‘religious war’ was mentioned, and Obi gratuitously echoed ‘Yes Daddy’ in response to the assurances of the cleric regarding his readiness to execute the divisive strategy.
Predictably, this alienated him from Muslims and other well-meaning Nigerians who do not believe that religion and other sensitive cultural issues should be exploited for political gain. But the former Anambra governor didn’t seem to mind. His supporters revelled in the ‘Christian candidate’ label, convinced it was enough to get him over the finish line. Northern Nigerians, who are mostly Muslims, were disparaged and subjected to stereotypical abuse.
However, as with all political strategies, the election outcome delivered the verdict. Obi was soundly defeated. Although he contested the outcome in court, the politician has studied the numbers and changed tack. The obvious lesson is that the Christian altar alone cannot win you the presidency. Hence Obi’s Ramadan parade. The country is no longer solely for the church to reclaim but to share with their fellow Muslims, who enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Obi is making a play for 2027, with the immediate goal being the expansion of his narrow support base. But the ghost of ‘Yes Daddy’ is strong and difficult to shed. He threatened to sue the platform that leaked the tape but failed to follow through on the threat. For many, that was proof of its authenticity and Obi’s dishonesty. Unless he converts to Islam and performs Hajj, engaging in occasional outreaches and donning the Jalabia won’t convince many of his repentance.
By Saheed Animashaun Olajide
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