By Tai Emeka Obasi

While politicians, in the real sense of the word, are forever interested in how to win an election, patriots are deeply concerned with how to improve dear nation by his/her actions at all times.

The major problems we encounter as a democratic nation is that politicians, who are supposed to be diligently selfless in the discharge of their duties are the most selfish set of beings in our society. Hence, any candidate of any major political party seeking for an executive office searches for the best partner with intent of winning the election as the only consideration.

But here is a nation that has survived on the fringes of running mates for over a decade. President Umaru Yar’Adua didn’t go through even half of his first term before illness and eventual death disrupted his good intentions. Was his running mate able to deliver on the solid structure the patriot outlined before his unfortunate demise? Your guess is as good as mine.

President Muhammadu Buhari, dogged by serious health challenges that hoisted the nation on auto pilot for most of his seven years in power, hasn’t effectively been in full physical charge to deliver on his firm promises. Has the man he chose as running mate been able to effectively take charge in the disruptive absence of the man many Nigerians voted for? Again another guess to be pondered about.

Had Nigerians been allowed to choose the next leaders after Yar’Adua and Buhari, would they have chosen HE Goodluck Jonathan and HE Prof Yomi Osinbajo? Again, another good guess.

Narrowing to HE Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate…here is a man, whose first year in office was equally disrupted by a mindless impeachment. What if the judges in court that returned him after three months were as corrupt as those members of the State House of Assembly that executed the illegal impeachment? We would have been stuck with Obi’s deputy for at least the remainder of the first term. Would HE Dame Virgy Etiaba, a woman chosen basically to balance gender and denomination, been able to continue with the solid plans laid down by Obi? Another guess worth chewing about.

Yesterday, Obi announced the choice of Dr. Doyin Okupe in the ‘interim capacity’ as his running mate. Any kid in kindergarten knows this was just to beat INEC deadline which struck at the hour of 1800 yesterday being June 17.

The former two-term governor of Anambra State has said he’s not desperate to be president but rather desperate to see a working Nigeria of our dreams. And he meant every word.

Such a man wouldn’t just go for any running mate just to help him win the election. He will diligently search for a personality, who would deliver on the major promise, amongst others, of turning around our dear country from consumption to production economy. He is always futuristic. He planned Anambra State beyond 2050 and started saving to actualise the great dreams he had of the youths and general well-being of his dear people. He might not be around in 2050 but he had planned for those that would to enjoy a far better society than he met.

The man we also call Okwute would want to settle for a running mate, who can deliver on the promises he is making to Nigerians should any reason make him unavailable at any time of their tenure. That is how selfless he is and that is as patriotic as he can be.

Finding such personality within just about three weeks he joined the Labour Party isn’t just an easy task. Such a personality, as difficult it is to find in a hurry, will also satisfy other moral obligations of being a Muslim as well as coming from the Northern part of the country.

As the search continues, we wish Obi, his team and Labour Party God’s guidance in unearthing the most suitable choice. The march to turnaround Nigeria has already started. Finding a selfless and patriotic running mate is as important as the candidate most Nigerians have already chosen.

We, as a people, should get our PVC, continue supporting and building our structure. Something very good is cooking. I can perceive it.

#PeterObiIsComing
#NigeriaNeedsPeterObi.

(Tai Emeka Obasi, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja)