Take It Or Leave It, Peter Obi’s Candidacy Has God’s Approval (OPINION)

By Isaac ASABOR

There is no denying the fact that not a few people in the Christendom are familiar with Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 as scripture that says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It is no doubt a familiar passage that is often quoted whenever the importance and relevance of God’s words in people’s lives are been talked about.

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that the word of God in Proverbs 16:7 which says “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” is by each passing day finding expression in the life of Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential ticket bearer of the Labour Party (LP) since he joined the race ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, the realistic manifestation of the foregoing scripture as been observed by virtually every Nigerian in the life of Obi demonstrates the fact that the best way to have our traducers reconciled unto us, is for us to be reconciled unto God; for such is the love which the Lord hath to pious and virtuous persons.

Without begrudging those that have resorted to opposing and criticizing Peter Obi’s style of politicking; and even elevating such inanity to the height of a calling since he won the presidential ticket of the LP, it is high time they are reminded that Psalm 75:7 says “But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another”.

Be that as it may, it is also expedient to remind Obi’s pathological traducers, particularly in this context that God’s word which is inherent in Proverb 16:7 is manifestly finding expression in Peter his life since he literarily embarked on his electioneering journey to his imminent victory at the polls, come 25 February 2023.

In fact, never in Nigeria’s political history has it been documented that any presidential candidate was openly supported and well-spoken of by his opponents, and in a similar vein inadvertently endorsed his candidacy to their own candidate’s detriment.

For the sake of buttressing the foregoing view, it is pragmatic to recall in this context that former minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in August confessed that the supporters of Obi are everywhere.

He stated that the “Obidients”have ideas and visions. While cautioning the big political parties, PDP and APC, Fani-Kayode advised them to play their cards very well.

In his article titled ‘Who are these “Obidients?”, he instructed his party members to humble themselves and embrace “Obidients” with a view to solving their respective problems.

While countering the misconceived impression that Obi is vying for the presidential position on the platform of a party that has no structure, he averred that “I see them amongst my staff and amongst those that regard themselves as being amongst the oppressed and downtrodden. I see them among the professionals and those that are bankers, lawyers, doctors, and artists. He stressed, “I see them in the North, West, East, and South. I see them everywhere and not only on social media.

In a similar vein, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has in June raised the alarm about the impact of the “Obidient” movement on the chances of the ruling APC and the PDP at the 2023 presidential elections.

In a video made by the AIT, which went viral, Obaseki noted that youths in Nigeria no longer want APC and PDP as he said, “The future of our politics is changing. If you have been watching the level of disenchantment with the existing political parties.

He said, “I’m sure in all our homes, we have people who call themselves “Obidients”. Ask them which party you belong to, and they say “Obidient”. They don’t want us”.

Analyzed from a different perspective, Reno Omokri, a former aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan, ostensibly being unconfident if his principal would win the election, and for fear of losing his “stomach infrastructure”, he has been warming his heart to Peter Obi and his “Obidient” followers as he has for the umpteenth time been exhibiting an attitude that suggests he is a member of the LP.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it will be recalled that Omokri in August this year accused the supporters of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, the ‘Obedient’ of threatening his life, but admitted that the former governor of Anambra state is an excellent candidate for 2023 presidential election. He made the attention-drawing comment through his verified Twitter handle. According to him, Obi is an excellent candidate but the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar is better, in the same vein urged people to support whomever they want and still respect each other.

His words: “I love Obidients because they love #RenosNuggets. But I am voting for Atiku Abubakar. It does not mean Peter Obi is not an excellent candidate. He is. “Just that Atiku is a better candidate in my opinion. We can all support whom we want and still respect each other.”

Besides, he has on different occasions made approving and disapproving comments about Peter Obi and his followers. At this juncture, permit me to say that everyone that is opposed to Obi’s presidential aspiration is spiritually limited in understanding, and incapable of seeing how Jesus can authorize rule in the oversight and governance of all the affairs of history. This is why John calls him King over all kings. “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

And what this means practically is that no king, no president, no chief, no senator, no managing director, no director general, no governor, no councilor, no lawmaker takes office except by God’s approval. In Daniel chapters 2 and 4, it is clearly stated that “He removes kings and sets up kings; . . . The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. . . . He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 2:21; 4:17, 35). And when the rulers are in the place God governs what they do: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

Every decision made by every ruler against the church and mission of Christ will, in time, backfire. In my own view as a Christian, Obi’s candidacy has God’s backing.