— Say 2023 Bandwagon Effect Will Not Happen Again
A group under the auspices of the Imo State Obedient Movement has accused National Assembly candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the state of being docile and waiting to ride on the popularity of Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, led by Comrade Gideon Emelu, made the allegation after a meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday.
The group noted that while candidates of other political parties in Imo State and other parts of the country had formally flagged off their campaigns and were reaching out to voters and relevant stakeholders in preparation for the elections, most NDC National Assembly candidates in the state had remained inactive.
According to the group, “It is regrettable that while candidates of other political parties in Imo and other states have formally flagged off their campaigns, in addition to reaching out to the electorate and relevant stakeholders in preparation for the upcoming elections, most of the National Assembly candidates of the NDC in Imo State have not only been inactive but seem to be waiting to ride on Peter Obi’s popularity, just like what happened in 2023.”
Some members of the group, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that some of the candidates were yet to commence serious campaigns, allegedly relying solely on Peter Obi’s popularity to secure victory.
They said, “It is highly regrettable that most of the National Assembly candidates who are yet to flag off their campaigns are waiting to coast to victory on the basis of Peter Obi’s popularity and then abandon him once they are elected, just like those who rode on the former Labour Party presidential candidate’s popularity in 2023 and later defected from the party.”
The group alleged that some of the beneficiaries of the 2023 political wave had contributed little or nothing to the campaign but nevertheless won their respective elections on the strength of Obi’s popularity.
It cited Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, representing Owerri Senatorial District in the Senate, and Hon. Tochukwu Okere, representing Owerri Federal Constituency, as examples of politicians who, according to the group, benefited from the 2023 wave of support for Obi.
“They shamelessly abandoned him shortly after the election,” the group alleged.
The members further stated that “most of those pretending to be Obedients today are impostors who intend to ride on Peter Obi’s popularity and goodwill because they know that they lack the political clout to win elections.”
They alleged that some of the candidates had no strong issues or programmes with which to convince the electorate to vote for them, accusing them of resorting to “deceit, pretence and other behind-the-scenes antics” to win the support of Imo voters.
The group therefore called on NDC candidates in the state to immediately commence their campaigns, engage with the electorate and stop relying solely on Peter Obi’s popularity and goodwill.
It also warned that the “2023 bandwagon effect” would not be repeated in the 2027 elections.
