If you ask the average Yoruba man or woman who they would vote for in the coming presidential election, they will most likely mention the name of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their Hausa or Fulani Muslim counterpart will also make their choice along tribal or religious lines. They might choose the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. These choices would be made regardless of the educational qualification of the voter. You would recall that one of Nigeria’s most educated minds, Prof. Wole Soyinka endorsed the candidacy of Muhammadu Buhari regardless of his scholarship, empirical facts, Buhari’s antecedents, and his experience with Nigerian and international coup plotters who often end up as civilian dictators. Though this phenomenon happens in virtually all multi-ethnic nations, we have an acute case in Nigeria. Yorubas know that Tinubu would own a major share of Nigeria after his first term like as he presently owns a large share of Lagos State Limited, yet that will not stop them from voting for him. Muslim northerners will prefer to vote for a candidate like Atiku not because he can solve the problems of Nigeria, but because he is a northerner and a Muslim. Looking at the list of those who have declared their interest to solve the mess created by Buhari, the most qualified by a good margin is the former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi.

A good presidential candidate that can take us out of all the evils presently befalling Nigeria should have the education, experience, health, and intelligence to solve the numerous and onerous challenges facing us. These challenges include insecurity, education, infrastructure, and the father of them all corruption among others. Considering Peter Obi’s stewardship as the Governor of Anambra State we can say he has what it takes to take Nigeria on a path of redemption. His educational background and business acumen lend weight to the argument that he can help to usher Nigeria into an era of peace, prosperity, and progress. Peter Obi was born at Onitsha on the 19th of July 1961. He completed his secondary education at Christ the King College. He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), afterward in 1980, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1984. After graduation from UNN, Peter Obi has attended Lagos business school, Nigeria, Harvard business school, Boston, USA, London School of Economics, UK, Columbia Southwest School, New York, USA, Institute for Management Development, Switzerland, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, USA, Oxford University Business School, and Cambridge University Business School.

Peter Obi has served as the Chairman of many corporate bodies that include Paymaster Nigeria Ltd, Chams Nigeria Ltd, Data Corp Ltd, and Card Centre Ltd. He was the youngest chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc. Obi’s name was mentioned in the Pandora Papers leak which showed that his financial dealings are not as squeaky clean as previously thought. He has since countered the claims that he did not break any law as regards the Pandora Papers revelations. After the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he has not been found wanting or prosecuted. I still have my distrust for Nigerian politicians generally, probably excluding the likes of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan whose records despite the repeated attempt by the ruling party and other political interest groups remain unblemished. But we need a leader. And a leader now, who can lead us out of this quagmire. I somewhat believe from all the presidential candidates who have declared their interest so far, Peter Obi appears to be the man who can get the job done.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers