I still maintain that it was politically unwise for Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election. The only realistic way to stop the rise of Muhammadu Buhari at the time was for the People’s Democratic Party to unite behind a strong Northern candidate. The warning signs were already visible, but they were ignored.
Now that Nigerians have experienced both phases of ethnically influenced governance within the All Progressives Congress — first from the North and then from the South West — many citizens have become more conscious of the dangers of exclusion, favoritism, and sectional politics.
This is why many Nigerians across different regions are now looking toward Peter Obi as a symbol of national inclusion and reform. His support base is not built solely on ethnic loyalty or elite backing from the South East. In fact, one of the strongest arguments in his favour is that his political message consistently emphasizes competence, accountability, fairness, and national unity.
No president can govern Nigeria successfully without meaningful participation from every region of the country. Nigeria is too diverse for any one ethnic or religious bloc to dominate sustainably without creating deeper national divisions. That reality makes inclusive leadership not just desirable, but necessary.
An important lesson from Nigeria’s democratic journey is that governments perceived as balanced and nationally inclusive tend to inspire greater trust and stability. Citizens are more willing to cooperate when appointments, policies, and opportunities are seen as fair rather than sectional.
For Nigeria to move forward, the country needs a leadership culture that reduces ethnic suspicion, strengthens institutions, promotes merit, and gives every group a sense of belonging. The nation desperately needs a long period of peace, stability, and purposeful governance to rebuild trust and reposition itself economically and socially.
Many supporters believe that Peter Obi represents that possibility because his rhetoric around unity, inclusiveness, and responsible governance continues to resonate strongly with Nigerians seeking a different political direction.
Published by Chuks Nwachuku
