When Bola Ahmed Tinubu boasted weeks ago that he had never lost any election in his remarkable political career, many took him seriously. But another sizable number of Nigerians felt that the Biblical scripture that says pride goeth before a fall, will manifest in the end. And Peter will emerge victorious over the boastful Tinubu. Many thought we were at the dawn of a new era where the rigging machine of the riggers cannot rig this election. Many saw many signs that gave them the hope that it will be different this time. And we are about to witness a repeat of the 2005 election where the opposition “won” the incumbent. We saw the Wike Group of governors. We saw Buhari’s men trying to alienate Tinubu. We saw the naira redesign. And concluded that Tinubu will be smoked. However, many Nigerians forgot that the 2005 election was never free or fair. And that it was the rigging machine masterminded by the Jagaban with the very willing connivance of the Northern and Southwestern elites that brought in the worst President in the history of Nigeria.

Many believe the election has been won and lost and even world leaders like the British Prime Minister have extended a hand of fellowship to work with the “President-Elect”. But many Obidients are still hopeful. And their hope might be dismissible because of how Nigeria has been in the past couple of years. Aside from the election that brought in Goodluck Jonathan, most other elections have been selections because the umpire INEC has always been dependent on those who employed them. From the Chairman of the first Nigerian Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) – Chief Eyo Esua (1964–1966) in the First Republic, to Professor Mahmood Yakubu who took over from Amina Bala-Zakari, who was the acting chairman after Prof. Jega left, Nigeria’s electoral commission has never been truly independent. And therein lies one of the biggest hurdles to conducting a free and fair election in Nigeria.

As Nigerians who are controlled by ethnicity and religion celebrate and laugh about Tinubu’s supposed victory at the polls, they should also know as famous as Tinubu is for winning according to his boast, Peter Obi may also be famous for winning Supreme Court electoral verdicts. As undependable as this theory might seem, Obedients must continue to believe in the ability of Nigeria to turn a new leaf when the need desperately arises. I remember the IBB Must Go move that moved one of Africa’s most calculating dictators out of office. No matter how formidable the APC rigging machine might be, the history of Nigeria is filled with sharp turns that stunned everyone. From the death of Sani Abacha to the election of Buhari, Nigeria always has a surprise up her sleeve. And Peter Obi and the Obidients might just have the last laugh after all.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers