The aftermath of the Anambra governorship election has not yet subsided two weeks later.
Recall that during that exercise, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate for 2023, lost his polling place.
The incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and candidates from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, or APGA, dominated the polls, with the APC candidate finishing far behind.
Nevertheless, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party, which were fostered as the national coalition party, fell short.
In Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Obi’s candidate was defeated by the APC in the LP leader’s own polling place.
While Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC received 73 votes, Obi’s party, LP, received 57.
People anticipated his great popularity to propel victory on any occasion, thus this development has sparked a variety of reactions.
Others, who maintain that the previous governor of Anambra State was not on the ballot for the governorship election, maintain that his popularity is still intact.
Obi did not keep his selection of a candidate to himself. He had publicly endorsed him prior to the election.
“Even though George Moghalu is not in my election, I will support my party’s candidate, but my conscience says so,” he previously wrote on social media.
In support of the LP candidate who had endorsed him, the 2023 presidential hopeful continued on and strolled through Anambra’s streets.
Tanko, the coordinator of the Obidient Movement, stated at the time that the Obidient family is fully present throughout Anambra State.
“We have successfully inaugurated our Polling Unit Commanders in each of the state’s 5720 polling units. Every neighborhood, ward, and village, from Awka, Awkuzu, to Nnewi, has vibrant, active, and vigilant grassroots structures. We kindly ask that you cast your vote for George Moghalu. “A vote for Moghalu is a vote for PO,” he declared.
The issue now is that Moghalu did not perform well, even if Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement supported him.
The APC in Lagos State encouraged Obi to put the 2027 presidential election behind him after the results of the poll.
The party claims that since Obi was unable to command respect in his own polling unit, Nigerians cannot give him control over their future.
Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC spokesperson, questioned how Obi plans to govern Nigeria given that he is unable to win at his own polling place.
“A guy has no right to dream of conquering a nation if he cannot win his polling unit. If a man is rejected on the street, he cannot claim acceptance across the country.
Part of the statement stated, “A man whose strongest base has crumbled cannot sell the lie of a national movement.”
Obi’s defeat at his polling place, according to the APC, represented the “complete disintegration of the myth around Peter Obi.” To make matters worse, we genuinely hope that Mr. Obi won’t run to plead for foreign help to save him from this political downfall, as he has recently done without hesitation.
“Nigeria’s democracy is not a toy for desperate politicians who have been rejected at home and are looking for sympathy abroad.”
In an interview with Barrister Emma Ibediro, a former APC National Organizing Secretary and member of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, IAD, she maintained that Peter Obi’s loss of his polling unit meant nothing at all and that the former governor wasn’t the one whose popularity was put to the test.
“Even Peter Obi has stated that he was not on the ballot. In the Anambra State governorship election, he appeared on the ballot.
He declared, “There is no connection between Peter Obi and the Anambra election.”
He responded, “No,” when asked if Peter Obi’s popularity, which aided politicians in gaining political positions in 2023, was no longer available. According to Peter Obi, he did not appear on the Anambra election ballot.
“The candidates for the Anambra election have had their popularity put to the test. We will also gauge Peter Obi’s popularity when he appears on the ballot. His popularity was not put to the test by losing his polling place.
The ballot did not include him. Peter Obi’s statement was accurate. The ballot did not include him. He believes that the winner of the Anambra election need to serve the people.
Put differently, every candidate who ran for office was an Anambra. And all those folks are in his constituency as someone who is attempting to run for a position greater than governor of Anambra. I believe his function was that of a statesman.
Social media was used by some Nigerians to respond to the outcome:
According to @AremuBlack, “Even Obi is not really loved at home.” With almost thirty percent of the total votes, he was elected to a second term. We all know why the love came on so quickly.
@YettyO_Jp Even in his own backyard, Peter loses. Even his own people no longer think highly of Peter Obi!
@otunbacashogy2. In the state of Anambra, Peter Obi was ultimately demystified. His family rejected him.
Hello, @stanlesz05 “To exacerbate the situation, he lost to the APC.”
@Adedoyinfalade, “Baba, don’t become irrelevant. the year 2027. It will be unexpected!
Hello, @omoniyielegbel1 Moghalu lost his polling unit as well. The influence of @PeterObi is nil.
According to @PeterRaph4Obi, “Peter Obi was not on the ballot.” Please check in again in 2027.
Hello, @amkeyus Does Peter plan to run for office? If you say “no,” don’t you look foolish?
Ifeanyi83342988, “I’m sure you remember that Obi won the entire Southeast in the previous presidential election, but you people make it seem like Obi is running.”
@KpuraAraba, In the state of Anambra, that is how people vote. Usually, they don’t back Peter’s candidate if he isn’t elected. Put him on the ballot and watch as they unanimously back him. They disregarded Peter because he backed a different candidate during Obiano’s reelection campaign.
Hello, @Iambigiyke “Put Obi on the ballot if you want to test his structure; it’s not @PeterObi’s election.” I voted for @CCSoludo because I think he’s a better candidate. Elections in 2027: Obi or nothing!
