In Nigeria, hope has often been the most traded political currency. Promises of transformation are made with the urgency of a country on the edge of collapse—yet, all too often, those promises dissolve into excuses once power is secured. This raises a critical question as the nation looks toward 2027: if Peter Obi becomes president, will change finally come—or will it be just another replay of the same script?
Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, captivated a large segment of the Nigerian population with his message of transparency, frugality, and system overhaul. Among the youth and urban middle class, he symbolized a break from the past—a potential political redemption. But recent developments have begun to chip away at that image.
Kenneth Okonkwo, one of Obi’s former campaign spokespersons and a key face during the Labour Party’s 2023 election movement, recently accused Obi of betrayal for backing Julius Abure’s factional leadership within the party. This move, according to Okonkwo, contradicted the principles of fairness and internal democracy that Obi once preached. If Obi could overlook internal rot for political expediency, what assurance do Nigerians have that he won’t compromise the bigger vision when faced with even more complex national dynamics?
This political maneuvering strikes a familiar note in Nigerian politics, where principle often bows to pragmatism. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power under the banner of “Renewed Hope,” now presides over a Nigeria wracked with renewed hunger, hyperinflation, fuel subsidy chaos, and increased insecurity. His campaign rhetoric, much like those before him, has not translated into meaningful relief for the everyday Nigerian.
The danger with Obi’s growing perception problem is simple: disillusionment. For many, he was the last viable alternative to the two dominant parties. A different kind of politician. If he becomes more of the same—even in optics—what becomes of the collective Nigerian desire for reform?
Yet, it’s too early to write off Obi entirely. He remains one of the few mainstream politicians with a detailed track record of financial prudence and administrative discipline. His supporters often highlight his governance in Anambra as evidence that he can be trusted to manage Nigeria’s complex economy and restore institutional integrity. But the stakes in Nigeria’s presidency are higher, and personal character alone is not enough. Structure, vision, courage, and the ability to challenge political godfathers—even in one’s own party—are equally non-negotiable.
If Obi wants to retain the credibility that made millions of Nigerians believe in him in 2023, he must prove that his politics is not just about seizing power—but about changing how power is used. That means transparency not only in governance but in internal party dealings. That means elevating competent people over loyalists. That means taking principled stands even when they cost short-term political capital.
In 2027, if Nigerians once again decide to place their hope in Peter Obi, it must be with clear eyes—not blind optimism. And if Obi ascends to the presidency, he must understand this sobering truth: he will not be judged by his promises, but by his performance. Not by the sound of his campaign slogans, but by the quality of life Nigerians live under his watch.
Anything less will turn Hope into a hollow slogan, just as Renewed Hope has become.
By: Godwin Offor
